Watchdog agency strengthens Hatch Act enforcement to restrict political activity by White House officials

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has announced a significant change in the enforcement of the Hatch Act, a law that prohibits civil-service employees in presidential administrations from engaging in partisan political activity. White House officials who violate this law will now face penalties adjudicated by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), closing a loophole that previously allowed the president to ignore infractions.

Hampton Dellinger, head of the OSC, emphasized the importance of holding senior White House personnel accountable for their actions. This move comes after years of key White House officials flouting the law, including press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former chief of staff Ron Klain.

In the past, the MSPB lacked Senate-confirmed members, leading to limited enforcement of the Hatch Act. However, with the new changes, White House staffers can no longer evade consequences for their actions. Additionally, the OSC has implemented stricter policies on political “swag” in federal offices and clothing supporting a particular candidate.

Dellinger highlighted the need to balance robust enforcement of the Hatch Act with government employees’ speech rights. The OSC’s mandate includes supporting the federal workforce’s right to speak out on policy matters while ensuring compliance with the law.

Overall, these changes mark a significant step towards accountability and transparency in the White House, signaling a crackdown on political activity by officials in violation of the Hatch Act.