Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas is raising alarms over the White House’s handling of the government shutdown, suggesting that its messaging may have crossed into unlawful territory. Appearing on CNN Wednesday night, Crockett questioned how the administration’s statements targeting Democrats could be anything other than a violation of the Hatch Act, the long-standing federal law that bars government officials from using their positions for partisan purposes. “The first thing I wanted to know was, how can this not be a violation of the Hatch Act in some way?” Crockett asked on The Source. “Because we are not allowed to politic on official sites, period. And that’s what they’re doing.”
Federal Agencies Are Blaming Democrats For the Shutdown
Her comments followed a wave of criticism after multiple agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, displayed messaging that squarely blamed Democrats for the shutdown. On HUD’s official website Wednesday, visitors saw a statement that read: “The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands.” Similar language appeared in emails sent to federal employees across agencies on Tuesday, accusing congressional Democrats of “forcing” the shutdown. The sharp tone stood out not only because it was partisan, but because it was presented on platforms that are supposed to remain neutral, particularly during moments of political crisis.
Crockett Isn’t Happy With The Partisan Politics
For Crockett, who has frequently clashed with Republican messaging on Capitol Hill, the display felt like part of a larger pattern. “Instead of just saying, ‘We’re currently in a shutdown,’ you decided to play partisan politics on an official website,” she said. “And I guess there is no limit to what they won’t do, because they do the exact same thing when we walk into committee. Instead of us having real committee hearings where we are actually able to get information that may somehow help the American people understand what’s going on, instead, it’s always a campaign rally.”
What Is The Hatch Act?
The Hatch Act, passed in 1939, was designed to keep partisan activity separate from the machinery of government. It restricts federal employees from engaging in campaign-like activity while on the job. Violations can lead to fines, suspensions, or firings, but enforcement has often been slow and uneven, leaving critics to question whether the law still carries enough weight in modern politics.
There’s Already A Complaint Against The HUD Secretary
Already, a watchdog group has filed a Hatch Act complaint against HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, alleging both officials oversaw inappropriate partisan messaging. Whether the Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the law, takes up the case remains to be seen.
HUD Stands By Its Decision
HUD defended its decision to call out Democrats, portraying the criticism as misplaced. They told The Hill, “The Far Left is barreling our country toward a shutdown, which will hurt all Americans. At HUD, we are working to keep critical services online and support our most vulnerable. Why is the media more focused on a banner than reporting on the impact of a shutdown on the American people?”
