Key takeaways:
- Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, has been accused of violating the Hatch Act
- The Hatch Act was passed in 1939 to prevent federal employees from engaging in political activities while on the job
- The White House has yet to comment on the letter from the government watchdog agency
The White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been accused of violating a federal law intended to prevent federal employees from using their offices to influence elections. According to a letter from the government watchdog agency, Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act when she referred to “mega MAGA Republicans” during a press briefing last year.
Ana Galindo-Marrone, who leads the agency’s Hatch Act Unit, wrote in a letter Wednesday that Jean-Pierre’s statements were made while acting in her official capacity and thus violated the Hatch Act prohibition against using her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election.
In response to the letter, Jean-Pierre said the White House counsel is going to review her Hatch Act violation. She also noted that she takes her responsibilities as press secretary seriously and is committed to complying with the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act was passed in 1939 to prevent federal employees from engaging in political activities while on the job. It is designed to ensure that federal employees are not using their positions to influence elections or to promote a particular political party or candidate.
The White House has yet to comment on the letter from the government watchdog agency. It remains to be seen what action, if any, will be taken against Jean-Pierre for her alleged violation of the Hatch Act.
Be First to Comment