Story perspectives

Federal Judge Blocks Education Dept's Blame in Shutdown

11/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A federal judge ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment by altering out-of-office messages to blame Democrats for the government shutdown.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper permanently prohibited the administration from modifying these messages for members of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents over 2,000 workers.
The decision adds to scrutiny of the Trump administration during the ongoing shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.

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Story summary

A federal judge ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment by altering out-of-office messages to blame Democrats for the government shutdown.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper permanently prohibited the administration from modifying these messages for members of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents over 2,000 workers.
The decision adds to scrutiny of the Trump administration during the ongoing shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.