Trump Admin Tries to Silence "Out of Office" Auto-Reply Amid Shutdown Chaos

Trump Administration Defiles Even the "Out of Office" Email Auto-Reply In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Trump administration has instructed government employees to modify their "out of office" email auto-replies during the current shutdown. The directive, which was first reported by various news outlets, has sparked outrage among transparency advocates and raised questions about the administration's priorities. According to sources, some departments have been told to change their auto-replies to explicitly state that they will respond to emails "upon return from furlough." This move is seen as a petty attempt to control the narrative and suppress any potential criticism of the shutdown. "It's just another example of this administration's obsession with image over substance," said one government employee, who wished to remain anonymous. The shutdown, which began on January 20, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay. Many have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment with the situation. The "out of office" auto-reply is a standard feature used by many organizations to inform correspondents that they are unavailable due to vacation or other reasons. The Trump administration's move has been widely criticized as an attempt to silence critics and avoid accountability. "This is just another example of this administration's disregard for transparency and openness," said Daniel Schuman, policy director at the nonpartisan group Demand Progress. "It's not about responding to emails; it's about controlling the message." The shutdown has also raised concerns about the impact on government services and the economy. With many essential services grinding to a halt, experts warn that the economic consequences could be severe. In response to criticism, White House officials have defended the move as necessary to maintain "operational efficiency." However, critics argue that this is just another example of the administration's disdain for transparency and accountability. As the shutdown continues, it remains to be seen how long the Trump administration will continue to prioritize image over substance. One thing is certain: the "out of office" auto-reply has become a symbol of the administration's petty attempts to control the narrative. Background The current government shutdown began on January 20, when Congress failed to pass a budget agreement. With hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed, many have taken to social media to express their frustration and disappointment with the situation. Additional Perspectives Experts warn that the economic consequences of the shutdown could be severe. "The longer this shutdown continues, the more damage it will do to our economy," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. Current Status and Next Developments As the shutdown continues, it remains to be seen how long the Trump administration will continue to prioritize image over substance. With many essential services grinding to a halt, experts warn that the economic consequences could be severe. The situation is likely to remain fluid in the coming days, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise. Sources Various news outlets Daniel Schuman, policy director at Demand Progress Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics *Reporting by Arstechnica.*