The Hatch Act theoretically prevents the members of the executive branch—aside from the president and vice president—from engaging in overtly political activity. It’s often mentioned, but rarely invoked, because it really requires evidence that an official engaged in political activity at the same even where he was acting in an official capacity. For example, Julian Castro was found to have violated the act for endorsing Hillary Clinton during a media interview where he was identified by title and discussed policy implementation.
And then there’s the Trump regime, which has been wiping their feet on the Hatch Act from day one. That certainly didn’t stop at Trump’s rally in Phoenix.
Right before Ben Carson took the stage at President Trump’s rally in Phoenix on Tuesday night, the announcer introduced him.
“The secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson,” the voice intoned, prompting cheers from the audience.
And, as simply as that, a law was likely broken.
If Carson had come to Phoenix to discuss housing policy, it might have skirted the line—even though Trump’s rally was announced as a campaign rally and paid for out of his funds for the 2020 election. But that’s not what Carson’s appearance was about. Instead he was there to celebrate Manifest Destiny.
“The taming of the West is one of the best examples of the American way.”
He then joined in the new Republican tradition of calling out bigotry, without ever calling out a bigot. But whatever his topic, it seems clear enough that Carson broke the law.
Secretaries are not banned from speaking at such rallies, but they can't appear to do so under their official title or as part of their Cabinet duties.
And what was Carson’s introduction again?
Of course, someone has to follow up on the violation, and with Sessions’ DOJ deeply involved in staying out of Trump’s DOG house, Carson may not get the usual penalty.
Punishment for a willful violation of the act could include removal of an official from his position. … In this case, it seems unlikely that any punishment would follow from Carson’s appearance, especially if left to Trump.