Since the first day of the federal government shutdown , official email accounts and numerous government websites have been telling the public to blame Democrats for the current halt to many services, raising questions about whether the political messages run afoul of federal law.

On the first day of the shutdown, email accounts at the U.S. Department of Education began sending out-of-office messages pointing fingers at Democrats for the funding crisis, USA TODAY reported.

"Thank you for contacting me," said one message. "On September 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution. Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations."

Among the numerous sites blaming Democ

See Full Page