The websites of several federal agencies displayed partisan messages during the government shutdown. GEL Partner Kevin Owen shared his opinion on the government’s potential violation of the Hatch Act with Federal News Network and the New York Times. Mr. Owen told the Federal News Network:
“The fact that it has been posted on an agency website on behalf of an agency does not make it immune from Hatch Act prosecution,” Owen said. “In fact, it makes it more likely that the individuals who have posted this were acting in their official capacity and not in their personal political speech, which is going to make it more likely to be a Hatch Act violation.”
Owen also spoke with the New York Times about the issue and was quoted as saying:
“What is going on right now is running counter to the trainings that some of these employees have had for 15, 20 years,” Mr. Owen said. “It’s bedrock principles of the civil service.”
To learn more about the potential Hatch Act violations, visit the full publications below.
HUD website blames looming shutdown on ‘Radical Left’
If you are a federal employee who has been impacted by the government shutdown or a reduction in force, contact GEL to schedule a consultation.