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2h ago

Watchdogs File Hatch Act Complaints Over Agency Shutdown Messages as GOP Defends

Ethics enforcement is uncertain during the funding lapse as the White House pushes coordinated blame templates and banners across agencies.

A view of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2025, in Washington, DC.
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OXON HILL, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 21: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 21, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The annual four-day gathering brings together conservative U.S. lawmakers, international leaders, media personalities and businessmen to discuss and champion conservative ideas. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint with the Office of Special Counsel against SBA chief Kelly Loeffler and HUD Secretary Scott Turner over website statements blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
  • Democracy Defenders Fund urged the Government Accountability Office to probe whether HUD violated appropriations laws by using official sites for partisan publicity, citing the Anti-Deficiency Act.
  • HUD, Justice, Agriculture, State, Veterans Affairs and the SBA displayed banners or pop-ups accusing Democrats or the “Radical Left” of causing the shutdown, with HUD updating its message after funding lapsed.
  • The administration distributed email and out-of-office templates directing employees to blame Senate Democrats, prompting Rep. Robert Garcia to request an OSC investigation into potential violations.
  • Turner and Speaker Mike Johnson defended the messaging as factual, while OSC’s auto-replies note limited operations during the shutdown and ethics experts warn the communications may breach the Hatch Act and other restrictions, as OMB also moves to freeze or cancel projects.