Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act while disparaging the Republican “MAGA” base, the second such violation this year, according to a watchdog agency.
The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) told Jean-Pierre and deputy press secretary Andrew Bates in an October letter that criticizing “MAGA” Republicans when discussing the GOP budget plan earlier this year was “contrary” to official guidance on adhering to the Hatch Act.
However, Hatch Act Unit Chief Ana Galindo‐Marrone said the agency decided against any disciplinary action.
The main provision of the 1939 act prohibits executive branch officials —except the president and vice president — from engaging in some forms of political activity.
The OSC had previously sent Jean-Pierre a warning letter in June for her condemning “mega MAGA Republicans” during press briefings in the lead up to the 2022 midterm elections.
Yet despite the agency reprimanding her, she issued a statement a week later criticizing Republicans’ “hardcore MAGA” budget, while Bates, in a memo, went after “MAGA tax welfare.”
She received no disciplinary action for those violations either.
It’s almost as if politicians will repeat their transgressions if they know they won’t be punished for them.
