Attorney General Todd Blanche Listed as Speaker at RNC Raises Hatch Act Concerns
A leaked speaker roster for the Republican National Convention shows Attorney General Todd Blanche slated to speak, prompting accusations that he may be breaching the Hatch Act’s ban on partisan activity by federal officials.
A speaker lineup for the upcoming Republican National Convention, released by one outlet and verified by the RNC, lists Attorney General Todd Blanche as a presenter, igniting a debate over potential Hatch Act violations. The Hatch Act prohibits federal executive branch employees from using their positions to sway elections, and Blanche’s participation in a highly partisan event—dubbed “Trump-a-palooza”—has been highlighted by former Obama aide Christopher Hale on social media.
Blanche, long-time personal attorney to Donald Trump, previously campaigned for a Trump-endorsed candidate in the New York governor’s race, a move also flagged by legal experts as possibly unlawful. Former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance expressed strong disapproval, emphasizing that the Attorney General’s duties are continuous and should not be used for political campaigning. The convention, scheduled for September 9-10 in Dallas, aims to rally Trump supporters ahead of the midterm elections, where Republicans face challenging races. Neither the White House nor the Department of Justice has offered a comment on the allegations.
Why it matters
The controversy tests the enforcement of rules that keep federal officials from using their positions to influence elections.
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