For decades, our country has had laws like the Hatch Act, Die Anti-Deficiency Actund die Anti-Lobbying Act to make sure that the federal government works for the American people, not for one political party. These laws were designed precisely to safeguard against the partisan use of public resources. 

So when the Trump Administration started using government platforms to blame Democrats for the shutdown, we jumped into action. Common Cause found dozens of examples of hyper-partisan political messaging coming from the Trump Administration, leading us to file 57 separate complaints with federal oversight agencies (you can read more about these complaints Hier Und Hier). The complaints document widespread violations of these key ethics laws and point to a larger problem: the federal system meant to hold officials accountable is broken.

What are these laws, and why do they matter?

The Hatch Act

Passed in 1939, the Hatch Act limits political activities by federal employees when they are acting in their official roles. It makes it so that government officials cannot use taxpayer-funded resources to benefit a particular political party or candidate while on the job.

Its goal is to keep federal programs and agencies nonpartisan, protect employees from political pressure in the workplace, and ensure that promotions and assignments are based on merit, not politics.

The Anti-Deficiency Act

This law protects Congress’s “power of the purse,” which refers to Congress’s exclusive right to decide how federal money is spent. Es prevents agencies from spending money they don’t have or from using government resources for things that Congress hasn’t approved. 

The Anti-Lobbying Act

Employees in the Executive Branch can hold significant power to shape how laws are made. The Anti-Lobbying Act makes sure that power isn’t abused. It restricts federal officials from using taxpayer money or their government position to lobby for or against laws or to urge the public to pressure Congress.

In short, government officials can’t use public funds or official platforms to push for or against specific laws or policies.

The Trump Administration Has Pushed Partisan Propaganda through Public Platforms Dozens of Times

Common Cause’s audit uncovered numerous instances of these ethical standards being violated during this government shutdown:

The CDC’s Taxpayer-Funded Website Broadcasts Anti-Democrat Messaging

After the government shutdown took effect, the Center for Disease Control shared this message at the top of their website:

“The Trump Administration is working to reopen the government for the American people. Mission-critical activities of CDC will continue during the Democrat-led government shutdown.”

Instead of providing neutral, factual updates, the CDC used its taxpayer-funded website to blame Democrats and credit the Trump Administration. The CDC website should be about public health, not a platform for political propaganda. 

Kristi Noem’s DHS Sent Agency-Wide Email Blaming Shutdown on Democrats

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent agency-wide emails blaming Congressional Democrats for the shutdown and praising the president’s policy stance, including referring to a “lapse in appropriations forced by Congressional Democrats.” 

These messages were sent using official DHS systems, in apparent violation of the Hatch Act’s ban on partisan political activity using taxpayer-funded tools.

The DOJ Shared Anti-Democrat Messaging On Its Taxpayer-Funded Website

Under Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the Department of Justice homepage displayed a partisan message reading:

“Democrats have shut down the government.”

The DOJ used an official, taxpayer-funded website to echo GOP talking points and attack one political party, undermining decades of norms and precedent.

These examples are only a few of the 57 formal complaints Common Cause filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and various Inspectors General.

A System That Can’t Properly Fight Back Against Ethics Violations

Federal ethics laws exist to make sure that government officials use their power responsibly and fairly. As we are seeing in real time, when those in power treat government communication tools, websites, and funds as campaign assets, it threatens our democracy.

Unfortunately, the current federal oversight system is unequipped to meet the moment. The Trump Administration’s actions have exposed just how easy it is for an administration to sidestep accountability.

The Government Accountability Office, Inspectors General, and the Office of Special Counsel are supposed to enforce these laws. But their strength and independence have been severely weakened.

This year, Trump has fired or demoted more than 20 Inspectors General, as well as the former head of the Office of Special Counsel, Hampton Dellinger. These attacks have created a chilling effect, making watchdogs afraid to challenge wrongdoing for fear of losing their jobs.

And at a practical level, filing 57 separate complaints is an absurd amount of paperwork. It shows our nation’s systems aren’t designed to account for this level coordinated, systemic abuse of public office and resources.

Common Cause Is Calling For a Comprehensive Overhaul of the Federal Ethics System

Common Cause supports stronger protections for the GAO, Inspectors General, and the Office of Special Counsel. But small, piecemeal reforms will not be enough.

The Trump Administration’s conduct has revealed deep flaws in how the federal government polices itself.

That’s why Common Cause is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the ethics enforcement system, including the creation of a single, robust, and independent watchdog agency with the power to oversee the entire executive branch.