Unauthorized Out-of-Office Messages Blame Democrats for Shutdown
Several furloughed employees from the Department of Education reported that their out-of-office email messages were altered to blame Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown. This change occurred without their consent or knowledge, as noted by sources who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.
Concerns Over Unauthorized Messaging
Employees described the situation as disturbing and a violation of their rights. One worker remarked that it felt like compelled speech and a setup. Another expressed feeling completely violated due to potential damage to their professional reputations.
Department’s Response
Madi Biedermann, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications at the Department of Education, commented on the matter. She stated that the email messages aim to inform recipients that responses are delayed because Senate Democrats have not approved a clean continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. Similar messages have been used on various agency webpages throughout the shutdown, which started on October 1.
Political Implications of Automatic Messages
Concerns regarding the legality of these messages have also arisen. The Hatch Act stipulates that federal employees must conduct their duties in a nonpartisan manner. Richard Painter, a former chief White House ethics lawyer, pointed out that altering employees’ messages without their knowledge might violate laws against political coercion using taxpayer funds.
- Federal law aims to protect employees from political pressure in the workplace.
- Painter noted that coercion could occur if employees are compelled to send specific messages.
Responses from Other Agencies
Other federal agencies have been noted for their use of politically charged messages during the shutdown. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that employees were directed to assign blame to Democrats in their out-of-office replies. A representative stated that this accurately reflects the situation, where Democrats are seen as obstructing government operations.
Broader Reaction and Consequences
This situation has raised alarms beyond the Department of Education. A worker from the Small Business Administration expressed shock at being instructed to use partisan language in their out-of-office messages. Additionally, multiple agencies, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State Department, have included statements on their websites blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
Legal Challenges
Public Citizen, a nonprofit advocacy group, has taken action by filing complaints against agencies using politically charged language in their communications. They allege that these messages violate the Hatch Act, further indicating the controversies surrounding the government shutdown and its implications on federal employees’ rights.
