Trump administration threatens mass firings during the government shutdown | Here's what to know

(ASSOCIATED PRESS) At least eight federal agencies are publicly blaming the government shutdown on Democrats or the left, a move critics say misuses U.S. government websites in a partisan messaging war.

Several other agencies have posted neutral messages on their websites, noting the lapse in appropriations may disrupt some services.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Tuesday on its website blamed the “Radical Left” for any potential shutdown.

“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,” the banner reads. “The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people.”

Some questioned whether the postings violated the Hatch Act, an 80-year-old law that restricts partisan political activity by federal employees. HUD officials pushed back on claims their post violated the law, noting the banner did not refer to an election, and did not mention any party or politician by name.

By Wednesday, similarly-toned messages had popped up on at least seven other agency websites, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture, several of which did mention the Democratic Party.

A banner on the USDA website reads: "Due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people."

"Democrats have shut down the government. Department of Justice websites are not currently regularly updated. Please refer to the Department of Justice’s contingency plan for more information," the message reads on the DOJ website.

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