Some questioned whether the banners on several agency websites violated the Hatch Act.
WASHINGTON — At least eight federal agencies are publicly blaming the government shutdown on Democrats or the left, a move critics say misuses U.S. government websites in a partisan messaging war.
Several other agencies have posted neutral messages on their websites, noting the lapse in appropriations may disrupt some services.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday on its website blamed the “Radical Left” for any potential shutdown.
“The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands,” the banner reads. “The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people.”
Some questioned whether the postings violated the Hatch Act, an 80-year-old law that restricts partisan political activity by federal employees. HUD officials pushed back on claims their post violated the law, noting the banner did not refer to an election, and did not mention any party or politician by name.
By Wednesday, similarly-toned messages had popped up on at least seven other agency websites, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, several of which did mention the Democratic Party.
A banner on the USDA website reads: “Due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.”
“Democrats have shut down the government. Department of Justice websites are not currently regularly updated. Please refer to the Department of Justice’s contingency plan for more information,” the message reads on the DOJ website.
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What is the Hatch Act?
The Hatch Act is a 1939 federal law that restricts the political activities of most executive branch employees to prevent the misuse of government positions for partisan purposes.
The law prohibits federal workers from engaging in political activity while on duty, in a government building, wearing an official uniform or using a government vehicle. It also bars them from soliciting or receiving political contributions, and from running for partisan political office.
The restrictions aim to ensure federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan manner and to protect employees from political coercion. Career civil servants, political appointees and members of the military fall under the act’s provisions, though the president, vice president and certain high-level officials are exempt.
The law takes its name from Sen. Carl Hatch, a New Mexico Democrat who sponsored the legislation amid concerns about political interference in New Deal programs.
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