The controversy over the TSA’s decision to air a video at the El Paso International Airport blaming Democrats for the federal shutdown has exposed a question about leadership and responsibility.
The video, which many El Pasoans found inappropriate, plays in a federal facility under the control of the Transportation Security Administration. In other words, it’s a federal issue, not a city one. And yet, it was the El Paso City Council being asked to act.
To be clear, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar was right to call the video “partisan” and “unlawful.” She’s not wrong that the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political messaging. And those on City Council who agreed with her are also justified in feeling that way.
But Mayor Renard Johnson and the council members who voted against the motion were just as correct. Any local effort to remove that video would’ve been almost entirely symbolic, while costing the city resources. The TSA checkpoint is federal jurisdiction. The City could review leases or pass resolutions, but it can’t compel a federal agency to take down a video.
That’s why the responsibility really belongs to Escobar. She’s our federal representative. Even City Representative Lily Limón, in a quote to the El Paso Herald-Post, asked the obvious question:
“I would also ask what has our top Democrat, Veronica Escobar, done in Congress to resolve this issue?”
That’s exactly the point.
Escobar’s outrage was justified, but passing the buck to City Council wasn’t fair. The most effective response would’ve been a combination of actions:
A simple City Council resolution expressing that El Paso values nonpartisanship in public spaces (a statement of principle, not a legal battle).
A good-faith effort from Escobar — filing a formal complaint with the Office of Special Counsel or asking the DHS Inspector General to investigate potential Hatch Act violations.
Together, those actions would’ve at least represented a moral stance — a moment where local and federal leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder to say, “This isn’t what El Paso stands for.”
Instead, the moment became another example of how accountability can get lost between levels of government. Even if both had taken a united moral stance — a resolution from Council and a formal complaint from Escobar — the outcome likely wouldn’t have changed. But that’s what makes the harsh criticism of the mayor and the council members who voted ‘no’ seem misplaced.
If it is fair to question why local leaders didn’t do more, then it is also fair to ask: why criticize them for not doing something you yourself have the power to do?
If Congresswoman Escobar feels strongly about this issue, she’s in the best position to lead on it. I’d invite her to take that action, or at least explain to El Pasoans what she’s done or plans to do next. That kind of clarity is what people expect from their leaders.
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