The Navy Secretary criticized former President Donald Trump during his speech in London in January of this year.
Washington:
U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro violated a law restricting the political activities of federal employees when he publicly called for votes for President Joe Biden and criticized former President Donald Trump, the Office of Special Counsel said Thursday.
U.S. federal employees are subject to the Hatch Act, a law that restricts certain political activities to protect the government from partisan influence. It prohibits the use of official authority to influence the outcome of an election.
Speaking in London in January 2024 during an official trip, Del Toro said he was “confident that the American people will take responsibility in November and support President Biden for a second term as our commander in chief.”
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, said Del Toro also “expressed his electoral opposition to President Trump as a candidate” during the event and in an interview with the BBC later that day.
“Speaking in his official capacity during a taxpayer-funded trip, Secretary Del Toro encouraged voters to support one candidate over another in the upcoming presidential election,” said Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger.
“In doing so, he crossed a legal line and violated the Hatch Act. This is especially troubling because Secretary Del Toro himself has recognized that military work and partisan politics should not mix,” Dellinger added.
Del Toro himself reported his comments to the watchdog, saying his intention was to discuss the importance of strong international alliances.
“In retrospect, I think I should have been more broad in my response, without naming specific candidates,” he told the office.
The U.S. military is meant to be apolitical, loyal to the U.S. Constitution and independent of any party or political movement. Del Toro was appointed by Biden to be Secretary of the Navy, a position held by civilians.
Possible punishments include a fine or removal from office.
The Pentagon said Thursday that it was reviewing the report but that it was generally important for the military not to take any action that could indicate support for a political party or campaign.
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