A government watchdog agency determined that 13 senior Trump administration officials violated federal law by campaigning for former President Trump
Donald TrumpQuincy Institute executive: Negotiators 'very close' to agreement on new Iran nuclear deal Cheney: Trump's 'adulation' of Putin 'aids our enemies' Five takeaways while the Ukraine crisis intensifies 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 PompeoOvernight Defense & National Security — Putin recognizes rebel regions' independence CPAC announces 2022 agenda, speakers Pompeo, facing Chinese sanctions, to travel to Taiwan 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 BidenPentagon approves request for National Guard deployment ahead of DC trucker convoy Lee Harris discusses the past of the Development Finance Corporation's new CEO Defense & National Security: US, allies hit Russia with sanctions 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 MeadowsSupreme 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 Right wing criticizes media for lack of coverage on Durham probe MORE; former Trump senior advisers Stephen Miller
Stephen MillerThe Senate confirmation scandal is a liability to US foreign relations Midterm primaries might be critical to balance of the Senate These people have been subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 panel 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 PenceCPAC announces 2022 agenda, speakers Collins underscores need to reform Electoral Count Act: 'Peaceful transfer of power shouldn't require heroes' Pence says he believes RNC's clarification of 'legitimate political discourse,' calls Jan. 6 a 'tragic day' MORE; national security adviser Robert O'Brien
Robert O'BrienSullivan warns Iran of 'severe consequences' if American citizens are attacked Watchdog cites 13 Trump officials who violated Hatch Act before 2020 election Lawmakers pay tribute to Colin Powell 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."
