Several employees from the Department of Education have recently come forward, claiming that their out-of-office email responses were tampered with during the ongoing government shutdown, with the blame being shifted towards Democrats. According to reports, these employees stated that their initial nonpartisan automatic responses were modified after being furloughed, to include language assigning responsibility to Democrats for the shutdown. This alteration has raised concerns among the employees, who fear that it may violate the Hatch Act, a law that restricts political activities for federal employees.
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In an interview with NBC News, five Department of Education employees disclosed that they had received a nonpartisan template for their out-of-office messages, which they had used as instructed. However, upon being furloughed, they noticed that the messages had been changed to point fingers at the Democrats. It is worth noting that DOE employees are expected to remain politically neutral in their roles as nonpartisan public servants. One employee expressed their disagreement with the altered messages, stating that it was not only unethical but possibly illegal and in violation of the Hatch Act.
ABC News also received similar reports from Department of Education staff members, with one employee highlighting their frustration and disbelief at the manipulation of their out-of-office reply without consent. The employee emphasised the importance of maintaining neutrality in their roles as career government workers. The overarching sentiment among those affected is one of anger and disappointment at being unwittingly involved in a politically charged narrative during the government shutdown.
Upon reaching out to the Department of Education for comment on the allegations, PEOPLE received an automated response reiterating details about the House of Representatives passing H.R. 5371, which was being blocked by Democrat Senators, resulting in the appropriations lapse. Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson continued to lay blame on the Democrats for the shutdown, with tensions escalating on both sides in the ongoing political stalemate.
The issue of altered out-of-office emails extends beyond the Department of Education, with reports indicating similar occurrences at other government agencies such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the State Department. The impact of these alterations is evident on government websites, where messages blaming the Democrats for the shutdown are prominently displayed. The politicisation of routine communications during the shutdown reflects the growing animosity and deadlock in political negotiations.
While Republicans and Democrats engage in a blame game over the government shutdown, with each side attributing fault to the other, the repercussions are being felt by federal employees who are caught in the middle. The altered out-of-office emails serve as a stark reminder of the politicised environment in which government workers are operating. As the shutdown continues to unfold, the focus remains on finding a resolution that will allow government functions to resume, alleviating the strain on employees and the American public.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the tampering of out-of-office emails at the Department of Education and other government agencies underscores the heightened tensions and political divisions during the ongoing government shutdown. The need for neutrality and adherence to laws governing political activities by federal employees is paramount, as the implications of partisan alterations to routine communications can have far-reaching consequences. As the standoff between political parties persists, the impact on government workers and everyday citizens serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for bipartisan cooperation and resolution.