President Trump’s White House denied claims that blaming Democrats for the shutdown breaks federal law. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
WHITE HOUSE PREPARES FOR 'IMMINENT' FEDERAL LAYOFFS AFTER DEMOCRATS FORCE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
"And now, the Democrats are upset the Administration is sharing the truth — they are desperately trying to lie to the American people because they know their shutdown is hurting families and workers around the country," Jackson added. "Unfortunately for the Democrats, facts are facts."
Atop the Department of Justice website, a red banner reads: "Democrats have shut down the government. Department of Justice websites are not currently regularly updated."
Fox News Digital obtained a DOJ memo which was sent to all employees of the agency outlining the plan for furloughing federal employees in the event of a shutdown, stating DOJ "has contingency plans in place for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by any lapse in appropriations forced by Congressional Democrats."
The HUD website directs blame to Democrats for the government shutdown. (HUD)
SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS, WHO DOESN'T AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Legal expert Andrew Cherkasy, co-founder of Golden Law, Inc. and former Air Force JAG, told Fox News Digital that "the Hatch Act does not apply to the President or Vice President. It does apply to most other federal employees."
"The law is intended to prohibit government officials from using their official authority to interfere with, or affect elections," Cherkasky explained. "The President of the United States and his agents under his authority have an unquestionable constitutional right to speak directly to the American people about what is happening in their government and who is responsible for it."
The Hatch Act, which was signed into law in 1939, is enforced by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and is also designed to keep federal employees from influencing or interfering with elections while working in any official capacity.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attends a news conference about the government shutdown, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, on Capitol Hill, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Despite a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate, the spending bill requires 60 votes to pass in the Senate, meaning some Democrat senators will need to break ranks with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to prevent the bill from failing.
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/media-bashes-trump-admin-messaging-pinning-shutdown-dems-white-house-fires-back