After the government shutdown began Wednesday morning, furloughed employees at an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services were told to set an out-of-office message in their email accounts blaming Democrats for the situation, according to an email obtained by HuffPost.
It appears to be one of several instances where Trump appointees are using government resources to attack Democrats and promote a political message during the funding standoff in Washington.
The email came from leaders of HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, or ASA, which oversees human resources and information technology at the sprawling health agency. It told recipients that creating an out-of-office message was “required” for those who wouldn’t be working during the shutdown.
“Please use the following language,” the directions stated. “Thank you for contacting me. On September 19, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution. Unfortunately, Democratic senators are blocking its passage in the Senate, which has led to a lapse in appropriations.
“Due to this lapse, I am currently in furlough status and unable to respond to emails. I will reply once government operations resume.”
