Out-of-office messages blaming Democrats for shutdown sent on behalf of some federal workers without their consent

Nathan Howard/Reuters via CNN Newsource

WASHINGTON DC -- Multiple furloughed workers from the Department of Education had out-of-office messages blaming Democrats for the government shutdown automatically sent from their email accounts without their consent or knowledge, according to four sources familiar with the situation.

The sources, who currently work at the department and spoke with CNN anonymously out of fear of retribution, characterized the move as disturbing and violating as well as one that could potentially impact their professional reputations.

“It is compelled speech and feels like a setup,” one Department of Education employee told CNN, with another worker saying they felt “completely violated and concerned” about the possible ramifications.

The automatic messages come