Hatch Act complaints mount against senior Trump administration officials

Recent filings by congressional Democrats and advocacy organizations have expanded the tally of Hatch Act complaints targeting members of the Trump administration. The latest accusations focus on Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose speech at a campaign event was defended by the Justice Department as personal, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who spoke at a super-PAC gathering in Michigan and referenced departmental matters.

Both complaints argue that the officials used their official titles to influence the election, which the Hatch Act generally prohibits. The Office of Special Counsel, responsible for investigating such claims, has yet to release any determinations on one outlet or prior allegations, which also include a grant-cancellation case raised by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Past investigations have found similar breaches by officials in the previous administration, underscoring the ongoing scrutiny of political conduct by federal appointees.