Overview

• Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on House Oversight, sent a letter on Oct. 2 urging the Office of Special Counsel to open an immediate investigation.
• He cited Sept. 30 postings and mass emails from federal agencies that used official resources to fault Democrats for the shutdown.
• The Department of Health and Human Services’ website stated that mission‑critical work would continue during a “Democrat‑led government shutdown,” which critics say crosses legal lines.
• Democrats, including Rep. Jake Auchincloss, called the agency messages likely violations of the Hatch Act and part of a broader pattern of politicization.
• The letter was addressed to acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer and requested a staff briefing by Oct. 16, while the White House and OSC had not announced any action.