Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D–Texas) is questioning whether the White House may have crossed a legal and ethical line after multiple federal agencies published and circulated messages blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown — comments she says could violate the Hatch Act, a federal law that restricts political activity by government employees.

Appearing Wednesday night on CNN’s The Source, Crockett expressed alarm over what she described as “overtly partisan propaganda” appearing on official government platforms.

“They’re being a lot more political in their messaging — and the first thing I wanted to know was, how can this not be a violation of the Hatch Act in some way?” Crockett said. “We are not allowed to politicize on official sites. Period. And that’s exactly what they’re doing.”

The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, bars federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity — especially those involved in administering federally funded programs. Its purpose is to ensure that government operations remain neutral, even during politically charged moments such as shutdowns or elections.

Partisan Messaging on Official Sites Sparks Scrutiny

Crockett’s comments came after the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) faced backlash for a message posted on its official website that read:

“The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.0 trillion wish list of demands.”

At the same time, employees at several federal agencies reportedly received internal emails echoing similar language — directly blaming congressional Democrats for the funding lapse that led to the shutdown.

In response, a watchdog organization filed a formal Hatch Act complaint Wednesday against Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler and HUD Secretary Scott Turner, alleging that both agencies engaged in partisan messaging in violation of federal law.

Crockett: “They’re Turning Agencies Into Campaign Tools”

Crockett said the incident reflects a troubling pattern within the current administration — using government platforms as “campaign tools” rather than sources of factual public information.

“Instead of just saying, ‘We’re currently in a shutdown,’ they decided to play partisan politics on an official website,” she told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

“There seems to be no limit to what they won’t do. It’s the same pattern we see in committee hearings — more propaganda, less governance.”

She accused administration officials of manipulating public institutions to advance partisan narratives, likening their behavior to “a campaign rally more than a functioning government.”

“When we walk into committee, it’s never about real oversight anymore,” Crockett said. “It’s just another campaign stage — more slogans, less substance.”

HUD Responds, Dismisses Criticism

HUD officials have defended their statements, doubling down on their criticism of Democrats and dismissing claims of impropriety.

In a statement to The Hill, a HUD spokesperson said:

“The Far Left is barreling our country toward a shutdown, which will hurt all Americans. At HUD, we are working to keep critical services online and support our most vulnerable.”

The spokesperson then pivoted to attack the press coverage itself, adding:

“Why is the media more focused on a banner than on the real impact of the shutdown on American families?”

Legal and Ethical Questions Mount

The standoff highlights an increasingly toxic political environment in Washington, where the lines between governance and campaigning continue to blur.

While violations of the Hatch Act rarely result in criminal penalties, experts say they raise serious ethical concerns about the misuse of taxpayer-funded resources.

Dr. Aaron Meadows, a professor of political ethics at Georgetown University, told Politico:

“What Representative Crockett is pointing to is not just a legal issue, but a moral one. When official platforms start promoting partisan blame, it undermines public trust in the neutrality of government institutions.”

“Transparency, Not Theater”

Known for her fiery questioning style and willingness to challenge both parties, Crockett said she plans to call for a formal review of agency communications during the shutdown.

“We can disagree on policy,” she said. “But once you use government websites and employee emails to push political propaganda, you’ve crossed the line. That’s not leadership — that’s manipulation.”

As the shutdown drags on, Crockett’s warning adds to growing frustration among lawmakers who argue that the American public is caught in the crossfire of partisan messaging wars.

In her closing remarks, she urged both parties to focus on governance, not grandstanding:

“People deserve transparency, not theater. The government’s job is to serve — not campaign.”