Employees at the Department of Homeland Security received an emailed reminder telling them they’re prohibited from engaging in “partisan political activity” after the department’s chief made an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, whom President Trump plans to promote to DHS secretary, participated in a naturalization ceremony broadcast at the RNC that sparked backlash from Democrats suggesting the appearance was a violation of the Hatch Act, which restricts most federal employees other than the president and vice president from engaging in political activity while on duty.
DHS employees, whose bosses just engaged in a partisan political stunt by broadcasting a naturalization ceremony as part of the RNC, received an email today reminding them not to violate the Hatch Act.
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) August 27, 2020
The letter sent to employees on Thursday and obtained by Politico reminded people about the Hatch Act condoning any partisan activity while employees are on duty, in a government room, building, vehicle, wearing any kind of DHS insignia or badge, or using government equipment.
“We, as a department, are under heightened scrutiny during the presidential election cycle,” the email read. “It is important that we, DHS employees, are familiar with the policies surrounding partisan political activity to make sure we comply with them.”
Homeland Security spokesperson Alexei Woltornist told Politico reminders of the Hatch Act are sent out frequently during every election season.
“The one you reference was posted on the DHS internal website early Tuesday morning,” Woltornist said. “Acting Secretary Wolf appeared at an official White House event and the video of that event was made public.”
Several other officials within the executive branch, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, and White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, have also come under accusations that they violated the Hatch Act with their participation in the RNC.
Trump, who is expected to accept the Republican nomination at the White House on Thursday, also faced scrutiny over the legality of participating from the White House.
