A federal workers union has initiated legal action against the Department of Education, alleging that the administration unlawfully altered employees’ automated emails related to the ongoing government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed the lawsuit in collaboration with the Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group, claiming that the emails included politically charged language without the employees’ consent.
The suit arises amidst a politically motivated shutdown that has already placed significant financial strain on federal workers. Everett Kelley, the AFGE National President, emphasized the impact of the shutdown, stating, “Federal employees already are suffering financially by going without a salary.” He accused the administration of infringing upon the First Amendment rights of furloughed employees by replacing their out-of-office emails with partisan messages.
Kelley condemned the actions of the Trump administration, asserting that it represents a blatant violation of law and an assault on the rights of federal workers. “Our union will not stand silent while President Trump and his political puppets blatantly violate the law,” he said. The AFGE, the largest federal workers union in the United States, claims that the administration has taken unprecedented measures to manipulate government agencies for political gain.
The lawsuit highlights that the emails originally provided by the Department of Education contained neutral and factual language. However, some furloughed employees discovered that their automated responses had been altered to include statements blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. One altered email read, “Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations.”
This incident forms part of a broader pattern, as various government agencies have likewise communicated messages that shift blame to Democrats. For instance, the Department of State referred to the shutdown as “Democrat-led,” while the Department of Justice stated, “Democrats shut down the government,” and the Department of Agriculture described it as “the Radical Left Democrat shutdown.”
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, criticized the administration’s actions, asserting that it exploits furloughed civil servants in a political blame game. “Even for an administration that has repeatedly demonstrated a complete lack of respect for the Constitution and rule of law, this is beyond outrageous,” Perryman remarked. She called for immediate judicial intervention to halt what she termed “flagrant unlawfulness.”
The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, prohibits federal employees from participating in certain political activities to maintain a nonpartisan federal workforce. The AFGE argues that the actions taken by the Trump administration violate this law, as well as the First Amendment rights of employees.
As the lawsuit progresses, it underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding the government shutdown and its implications for federal employees. The AFGE maintains that these changes to employee communications represent an abuse of power and a significant infringement on civil servants’ rights.
This legal challenge adds to the growing list of controversies surrounding the administration’s handling of the shutdown and its effects on federal workers. The AFGE seeks to ensure that the voices of its members remain uncoerced and that their rights as civil servants are protected.