Rep. Garcia Seeks Hatch Act Probe of Shutdown Messaging

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, asked Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer to open an investigation into apparent Hatch Act violations by the Trump administration over partisan government shutdown messaging. Garcia cites examples including a HUD homepage banner, SBA and HHS messaging, template out‑of‑office emails for furloughed workers, and social posts by agency officials that blamed “the radical left” and Senate Democrats. Historians, federal employees and ethics experts warned the coordinated messaging may breach Hatch Act restrictions and undermine public trust in a nonpartisan civil service. Watchdog groups including Public Citizen have filed complaints, and the Office of Special Counsel and the White House have been contacted as lawmakers press for accountability. The inquiry comes amid continuing shutdown disputes, including fights over ACA subsidy extensions.