Donald Trump defends Kellyanne Conway’s (and his own) violations of the Hatch Act, saying repercussions for violating the federal policy would go against the First Amendment.
The Hatch Act of 1939 bans federal employees from using their position or authority to promote a partisan political group or political campaign. The ethics law also bans use of government property for these purposes. Harassing or slandering a party or campaign is also a violation. The objective is to remain nonpartisan while working for the people.
Trump’s comments come a day after a federal watchdog group recommends Conway be fired for her multiple violations of the Hatch Act.
“It looks to me like they’re trying to take away her right of free speech, and that’s just not fair,” Trump said in a call this morning to the “Fox and Friends” news program on his 73rd birthday.
Courthouse News Service
Source
https://www.courthousenews.com/approving-of-violations-trump-says-kellyanne-conway-will-stay-on/
Photo: DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith (Cropped) (License)
