Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

orangecrush

(31,149 posts)
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 09:40 PM Oct 2025

Education Department employees surprised to find their email automatically changed to blame Democrats for shutdown

Education Department employees furloughed this week discovered their email accounts had been manipulated while they were out of office to include partisan talking points that blamed the government shutdown on Democrats.

Five employees who spoke with NBC News and provided copies of their out-of-office messages said the wording was altered from how they originally had composed them. All of them are civil servants, not political appointees, and requested anonymity out of fear of professional repercussions.

.....

One person reported changing the out-of-office message back to the nonpartisan version, only to have it revert to the partisan wording later.

“None of us consented to this. And it’s written in the first person, as if I’m the one conveying this message, and I’m not. I don’t agree with it. I don’t think it’s ethical or legal. I think it violates the Hatch Act,” this person said, referring to the law that limit federal employees’ political activity.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/education-department-employees-email-automatically-changed-rcna235211

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Education Department employees surprised to find their email automatically changed to blame Democrats for shutdown (Original Post) orangecrush Oct 2025 OP
Are they really surprised though? RockRaven Oct 2025 #1
They are Nazis, nuff said Blues Heron Oct 2025 #2
nice to know somebody else cares about this situation nt msongs Oct 2025 #3

RockRaven

(19,754 posts)
1. Are they really surprised though?
Thu Oct 2, 2025, 09:51 PM
Oct 2025

And if so, where have they been for the last nine years that they can be so oblivious or naive? Because I would like to go there, sounds like a lovely vacation from all this.

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.

Tell me more...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Education Department empl...