A federal workers’ union has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging it violated free speech rights by altering furloughed U.S. Department of Education employees’ out-of-office email messages to include partisan blame. The lawsuit, brought by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), claims the administration forced employees to appear as though they were personally criticizing Senate Democrats for the government shutdown. I will respond to emails once government functions resume.”The shutdown began Wednesday after Congress failed to reach a funding agreement. The Department of Education, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly said should be dismantled, had planned to furlough nearly 87% of its workforce. The lawsuit underscores escalating tensions between the Trump administration and federal employees, raising broader concerns about compelled speech and political influence in government communications.