WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro Broken law By publicly supporting President Joe Biden’s reelection and criticizing some of the comments made by former President Donald Trump while on official business overseas. U.S. Office of Special Counsel He said on Thursday.
In a White House report, watchdogs said Mr Del Toro made his comments while answering questions after a BBC interview and a speech in London. Mr Del Toro later reported the comments, but the special counsel said his unwillingness to take responsibility was troubling.
The network said Del Toro’s comments, made before Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Hatch MethodThe law prohibits U.S. officials from engaging in political activities while on duty and from “using the power or influence of public office to interfere with or influence the outcome of any election.”
“The United States and the world need President Biden’s mature leadership,” del Toro said in late January, responding to questions after speaking at the Royal Military Institute, adding that “we cannot have a president who aligns himself with dictators and rulers whose interpretation of democratic principles is questionable at best.”
Later, in an interview with BBC News Sunday, del Toro was asked about President Trump’s comments about democratic principles, to which he responded that in the past, both Republican and Democratic presidents have adhered to core American values ​​and defended our democracy.
“When someone doesn’t follow these basic principles, it makes you question whether you should support them,” he said.
Del Toro was asked, “Are you saying he has doubts about democracy?” The Navy secretary replied, “Yes, that’s right.”
Days later, Mr. Del Toro personally reported the gaffe to the special counsel, saying he had intended to focus on the importance of strong international alliances, but added, “In retrospect, I believe my response should have been broader, without referring to any particular candidate.”
In a separate written response to the watchdog’s findings, attorney Michael Bromwich said del Toro’s comments did not violate the Hatch Act because they were “spontaneous and unplanned.” Bromwich said del Toro was simply answering a question and did not directly mention Trump by name.
Special counsel Hampton Dellinger said in his report that Del Toro “crossed legal lines” and called the director’s “reluctance to admit wrongdoing” alarming and troubling.
Asked about the violations, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said at a briefing that the Pentagon was reviewing the report. She added that “it is important that we maintain the trust and confidence of the American people, and to that end, we must avoid any action that suggests endorsement of any political party, candidate or campaign.”
Navy Capt. Clay Doss said in a statement that the Navy received a copy of the report on Thursday and that “the matter will be addressed through appropriate processes.”
Dellinger said he appreciated that del Toro reported his comments, but “this fact alone does not absolve him of any liability.” Del Toro also issued his own directive to the Navy, Dellinger said, noting, “It is more important than ever that we remember that the Department of the Navy is a non-political organization…. The public’s trust and confidence depend on it.”
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The findings were published in a letter to the top two Pentagon officials by two Democratic lawmakers in August. Keep the military out of politics During the presidential election.
Although career public servants found to have violated the Hatch Act can be fired, suspended, demoted and fined up to $1,000, penalties are rarely imposed on federal employees.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
