Furloughed federal employees working at the Department of Education have claimed that their out-of-office emails have been changed without their consent.
Speaking to Newsweek, NBC News and Federal News Network, employees said that upon going into shutdown, their automated emails had been altered with messages blaming Democrats for the unfolding political situation.
Newsweek was unable to verify these reports and has contacted the Department of Education by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
After Congress could not agree on a funding measure, the government shut down as midnight passed on 1 October. This means that non-essential government services have ground to a halt, and some federal workers have been furloughed and others laid off.
Since then, Democrats and Republicans have blamed one another for rejecting each other’s spending plans and the Trump administration has been accused of violating a federal law, namely the Hatch Act, by disseminating messages said to be partisan through government departmental channels.
There are around 2,500 employees at the Education Department and some 87 percent of these staffers have been furloughed. If the government is found to have changed employee’s emails without their consent, it will raise further questions about potential breaches of the Hatch Act as well as the extent to which employee’s work data is private.
What To Know
Speaking to Newsweek, one federal employee said their automated email had been changed to one that read: “Thank you for contacting me. On September 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution. Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations. Due to the lapse in appropriations I am currently on furlough status. I will respond to emails once government functions resume.”
The employee requested anonymity over fears they might lose their job.
Meanwhile, five employees reportedly told NBC News that their emails had also been changed to the same message. An education department employee also reportedly told Federal News Network that they discovered on Thursday that their automated email response had been changed.
It follows advocacy groups complaining that some government communications about the shutdown, including emails and website posts blaming Democrats, violate federal laws restricting the behavior of government departments.
The Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonpartisan group, has filed a complaint to the Government Accountability Office urging it to investigate whether the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) violated appropriations laws including the Antideficiency Act, a law which restricts government spending, when it posted social media and website content blaming the “Radical Left” for the shutdown.
The group argued that these messages breach rules on the use of funds for publicity and propaganda.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) told Newsweek it does not investigate potential Hatch Act violations of executive branch agencies.
On Tuesday, the advocacy group Public Citizen also filed a complaint with OSC, alleging that HUD’s messaging was a “blatant violation” of the Hatch Act, while Newsweek obtained emails from other government departments blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
What Is The Hatch Act?
The Hatch Act, passed in 1939, stops federal employees in the executive branch from participating in political campaigns. It means, among other rules, that employees cannot run for partisan elections, solicit in fundraising for elections, distribute campaign materials, wear partisan political clothing or post partisan content online.
Those who violate the act risk being removed from federal service. Other penalties include fines up to $1000 or demotions.
What People Are Saying
An Education Department spokesperson told NBC News: “The email reminds those who reach out to Department of Education employees that we cannot respond because Senate Democrats are refusing to vote for a clean C.R. and fund the government. Where’s the lie?”
What Happens Next
The government shutdown continues with no sign of a quick solution in sight and betting odds suggest many Americans believe the shutdown could last for weeks.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would implement cuts to projects and fire federal workers if it prevails.
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