WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro violated laws restricting political activity by federal employees by publicly advocating voting for President Joe Biden and criticizing former President Donald Trump, the Office of Special Counsel said on Thursday.
Federal government employees in the United States are subject to the Hatch Act, a law that restricts some political activities in order to protect the government from partisan influence. The law prohibits the use of public power to influence the outcome of elections.
“I am confident that in November the American people will rise up and support President Biden for a second term as commander in chief,” del Toro said in a speech in London during an official visit in January 2024.
The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency, said during the event and in an interview with the BBC the same day that Mr del Toro “indicated his intention to oppose President Trump as a candidate in the election.”
“While speaking in his official capacity on a taxpayer-funded trip, Director del Toro encouraged support for one candidate over another in the upcoming presidential election,” Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger said.
“In doing so, he crossed the line of the law and violated the Hatch Act. This is particularly troubling because Secretary del Toro himself has acknowledged that military service and partisan politics should not mix,” Dellinger added.
Del Toro reported his comments to watchdog groups himself, saying he intended to discuss the importance of strong international alliances.
“In retrospect, I believe my response should have been more broadly worded without referring to any particular candidate,” he told the office.
The U.S. military is supposed to be apolitical, faithful to the U.S. Constitution, and independent of any political party or political movement. Del Toro was nominated by President Biden to serve as Secretary of the Navy, a civilian position.
Possible penalties include fines and dismissal from their jobs.
The Pentagon said Thursday it was reviewing the report but said it was important for the military in general to avoid any actions that could suggest support for any political party or campaign.
(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Rosalba O’Brien Editing)
