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A federal watchdog agency has reported that one of President Donald Trump’s economic advisers repeatedly broke the law during the campaign season with his criticism of Joe Biden, now president-elect.
The Hatch Act prevents federal employees from engaging in political work while performing their official duties. The law enforcement agency said Peter Navarro, director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, used his position to influence the 2020 presidential election through his remarks in television interviews and on television interviews. social networks.
Alex Brandon / AP
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro gestures while speaking to a reporter at the White House in Washington.
“His comments were aimed at undermining Mr. Biden’s presidential candidacy and persuading voters not to support him in the 2020 election,” said the Office of Special Counsel report, released Monday (local time).
Attorneys for the White House have claimed that Navarro did not violate the Hatch Act because statements of fact or policy do not constitute a defense for or against a candidate, according to the report. They argued, for example, that Navarro’s statement about Biden “bowing to the Chinese” was acceptable to him in his official capacity.
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But the Office of Special Counsel found that argument lacking. He said federal employees violate the law when they make statements intended to encourage others to vote for or against a candidate for political office or when they promote or discredit a candidate’s campaign.
“Dr. Navarro violated the Hatch Act because he participated in that same activity,” the report says.
The report says it is up to the president to determine “appropriate disciplinary action,” showing the limits of the law. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a private advocacy group, said it filed multiple complaints about Navarro with the Office of the Special Counsel and that “the referral for action demonstrates the seriousness of Navarro’s misconduct.”
“In an administration full of people illegally using their government positions to influence an election, Navarro has been one of the worst,” said the group’s chief executive, Noah Bookbinder.
