Stephanie Grisham, first lady Melania Trump’s communications director, has been officially warned against tweeting her support for President Trump’s campaign.
Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., shared a letter from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel on social media Thursday after he filed a complaint with the federal watchdog agency regarding a tweet of Grisham’s from July.
“Two months after my inquiry, the @US_OSC has confirmed that yet another Trump White House staffer has violated the Hatch Act,” he wrote, explaining how the act prevents government officials from using their roles to unfairly influence political activities like elections. “This administration’s blatant and repeated disregard for the law is astounding and unacceptable.”
NEWS: Two months after my inquiry, the @US_OSC has confirmed that yet another Trump White House staffer has violated the Hatch Act. This administration’s blatant and repeated disregard for the law is astounding and unacceptable. https://t.co/XEXFsTWU9M
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) September 20, 2018
At the very least, we should be able to trust that those who serve in the highest positions in our government will follow the law. Instead, this administration seems to promote a culture where showing that basic level of respect for the American taxpayer is optional pic.twitter.com/PW9UACuhcS
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) September 20, 2018
Grisham, in a now-deleted tweet from July 11, used the Twitter account through which she sends messages related to her job in the East Wing to promote Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hashtag.
“Three years ago today I listened to my gut & joined the Trump team in #PHX … & life has never been the same. So proud to work for both @POTUS @realdonaldtrump & @FLOTUS ?? #MAGA,” she wrote, attaching a photo from a 2015 Trump rally.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel told Carper in the letter it had found the tweet had violated the Hatch Act and, as such, the agency had sent Grisham a warning letter. However, Erica Hamrick, the watchdog’s Hatch Act Unit deputy chief, said Grisham would not face disciplinary action.
“Ms. Grisham has been advised that if in the future she engages in prohibited political activity while employed in a position covered by the Hatch Act, we will consider such activity to be a willful and knowing violation of the law, which could result in further action,” Hamrick wrote.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley are among the more prominent members of the Trump administration to receive similar warnings.
