executive Secretary Marcia Fudge violated the Hatch Act while discussing the 2022 senate” target=”_blank”>Senate < in March, the Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal investigative agency reportedly determined.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from participating in political activity.
When asked about the upcoming Ohio Senate race during a March White House briefing, Fudge mentioned that U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley were considering running and said, “they’re both friends. I think we have a good shot at it. I know people have written off Ohio. I haven’t written off Ohio. I believe we can win the Senate race,” Politico reported.
Earlier she declined to answer a reporter who asked about whom she thought should replace her open congressional seat in the state.
NY SHERIFF VIOLATED HATCH ACT BY FLYING PRO-TRUMP FLAG ON SUMMER BOAT PARADE: US AGENCY
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge speaks during a news conference in Hoboken, N.J., Thursday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Fudge’s violation appears to be the first for the joe-biden” target=”_blank”>Biden <reported.
“Please note that Secretary Fudge has been advised that if in the future she engages in prohibited political activity we will consider such activity to be a willful and knowing violation of the law that could result in further action,” Galindo-Marrone wrote.
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Several Trump administration officials also violated the act during his term, including former senior counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway and former trade adviser Peter Navarro. No Trump officials faced serious consequences.
HUD did not immediately return Fox News’ after-hours request for comment.