Report: Bush White House Committed Gross Violations of Hatch Act

The Office of Special Counsel has found gross and knowing violation of the Hatch Act by the Bush White House and specifically its Office of Political Affairs. The OSC Report found that the Bush White House allowed the office to directly support Republican congressional candidates and even allowed the Republican National Committee to work out of the White House. The violations were found to be a “gross abuse of the public trust.”

What is striking about the report is that there could be no serious question that these violations were knowingly committed. The Hatch Act bars the use of federal employees and resources in political activities.

The OSC found “OPA employees, particularly during the 2006 midterm election season, methodically coordinated administration support to aid the campaigns of Republican candidates.” Once again, despite clear violations of federal law by Bush officials, there is only belated action and no one is held accountable. People like Karl Rove and Kenneth Mehlmann simply went on with their careers — uninhibited by such violations. Just one more yawn from folks in the Beltway.

Source: CNN

Jonathan Turley