The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or using government resources. Posting banners on official government websites that blame a specific political party for a shutdown could be seen as a violation of the Hatch Act, as it uses government resources for partisan purposes. However, enforcement depends on interpretation and investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Such actions are more likely to be challenged as violations of agency policy or ethics rules, but the Hatch Act could be cited in complaints.
Websites blaming democrats
Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney (2025):
“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.”
— justice.gov/pardon, October 2025U.S. Department of Agriculture (2025):
“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.”
— usda.gov, October 2025Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2025):
“Mission-critical activities of AHRQ will continue during the Democrat-led government shutdown. Please use this site as a resource as the Trump Administration works to reopen the government for the American people.”
— ahrq.gov, October 2025Administration for Native Americans (2025):
“Mission-critical activities of ACF will continue during the Democrat-led government shutdown. Please use this site as a resource as the Trump Administration works to reopen the government for the American people.”
— acf.gov/ana, October 2025Administration for Children and Families (2025):
“Mission-critical activities of ACF will continue during the Democrat-led government shutdown. Please use this site as a resource as the Trump Administration works to reopen the government for the American people.”
— ACF.hhs.gov, October 2025White House Website (2025):
“Democrats Have Shut Down the Government”
— WhiteHouse.gov Government Shutdown Clock, October 2025Office of Management and Budget (2025):
“Democrats Have Shut Down the Government”
— OMB.gov banner linking to WhiteHouse.gov Government Shutdown Clock, October 2025Department of Homeland Security (2025):
“Democrats’ Government Shutdown Is Not Deterring ICE as They Continue to Arrest Gang Members, Drug Traffickers, Robbers, and Kidnappers”
— DHS.gov News, October 2, 2025“Democrats’ Government Shutdown Will Not Slow ICE Down from Arresting the Worst of the Worst Including Pedophiles, Murderers and Human Traffickers”
— DHS.gov News, October 1, 2025
Legal and Ethical Notes
- The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity while on duty or using government resources. Posting banners on official government websites that blame a specific political party for a shutdown could be seen as a violation of the Hatch Act, as it uses government resources for partisan purposes. However, enforcement depends on interpretation and investigation by the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). Such actions are more likely to be challenged as violations of agency policy or ethics rules, but the Hatch Act could be cited in complaints.
Notes
- These statements were posted during previous shutdowns and may not reflect the current situation.
- The language used on official sites has sometimes been criticized as partisan.
