A government watchdog agency determined that 13 senior Trump administration officials violated federal law by campaigning for former President Trump
Donald TrumpWhite House congratulates South Korea's new president, citing 'ironclad' alliance RNC sues over Jan. 6 panel's subpoena of Salesforce Russia's war on Ukraine upends nuclear talks with Iran MORE in the lead up to the 2020 election, according to a report published Tuesday.
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) found numerous officials in the past administration illegally participated in the Republican National Convention (RNC) — parts of which were held at the White House — and broke the law with their political activities prior to the election.
"Taken together, the report concludes that the violations demonstrate both a willingness by some in the Trump administration to leverage the power of the executive branch to promote President Trump's reelection and the limits of OSC's enforcement power," the OSC said in a release sharing the report.
The report outlines the latest examples of Trump officials flouting the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal government employees from engaging in campaign activity in their official capacity. The law does not apply to the president or vice president, but multiple other Trump officials were repeat offenders.
There is no enforcement mechanism for the law once officials have left office, but the OSC said it was publishing the violations for full documentation "and to deter similar violations in the future."
The report found then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoRussia's war on Ukraine upends nuclear talks with Iran 2024 Republicans eager to be seen as tough on Russia Pence: No room in GOP for 'apologists for Putin' MORE violated the law by delivering an RNC speech from Israel, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad WolfChad WolfCawthorn 'likely' violated rules by bringing candidate on House floor After a year of blatant ethics violations, Congress must reform corruption laws Jan. 6 committee subpoenas Stephen Miller, Kayleigh McEnany MORE did the same by leading a naturalization ceremony taped and played during the convention.
The report also called out several political appointees for openly pushing for Trump's reelection or bashing then-candidate Joe Biden
Joe BidenHouse passes bill banning Russian oil imports, authorizing sanctions White House congratulates South Korea's new president, citing 'ironclad' alliance Expected rent spike adds to record inflation MORE during media appearances in their official capacity.
The officials deemed in violation of the Hatch Act included former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette; former White House communications director Alyssa Farah; former press secretary Kayleigh McEnany; then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows
Mark MeadowsJan. 6 panel subpoenas Trump campaign adviser Cleta Mitchell, five others Supreme Court deals final blow to Trump bid to stymie Jan. 6 panel Supreme Court turns away Trump's appeal in dispute with House Jan. 6 panel MORE; former Trump senior advisers Stephen Miller
Stephen MillerStephen Miller sues Jan. 6 panel over subpoena for his phone records, citing 'family plan' Sunday shows preview: Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifies The Senate confirmation scandal is a liability to US foreign relations MORE and Jared Kushner
Jared Corey KushnerPardoned Kushner friend Ken Kurson agrees to plea deal Trump creates new Jan. 6 headaches for GOP Donald Trump slams Jan. 6 panel after Ivanka Trump interview request: 'They'll go after children' MORE; Marc Short, the former chief of staff to then-Vice President Mike Pence
Michael (Mike) Richard PenceTrump's plane made emergency landing after GOP retreat: reports McCarthy breaks with Trump on Putin: Russian leader not 'savvy,' 'genius' Judge questions Eastman's work for Trump amid House committee's allegation MORE; national security adviser Robert O'Brien
Robert O'BrienFormer Trump national security adviser condemns Putin at CPAC Sullivan warns Iran of 'severe consequences' if American citizens are attacked Watchdog cites 13 Trump officials who violated Hatch Act before 2020 election MORE; and White House counselor Kellyanne Conway
Kellyanne ConwayAll eyes on Trump as Timken gains momentum in Ohio Kellyanne Conway endorses Timken in Ohio Senate race Trump 2020 campaign chief to advise Gibbons in Ohio Senate race MORE, who the OSC at one point recommended be fired for her repeated egregious violations of the Hatch Act.
The report acknowledged the limited enforcement capabilities for officials who violate the Hatch Act when the president disregards the law entirely.
"The Hatch Act is only as effective in ensuring a depoliticized federal workforce as the president decides it will be," the report states. "Where, as happened in the Trump administration, the White House chooses to ignore the Hatch Act’s requirements, there is currently no mechanism for holding senior administration officials accountable for violating the law."
