OSC Pursues Hatch Act Cases Against Two Federal Employees as Cases Pend Against Trump Administration Officials

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) filed disciplinary action complaints against two federal employees for alleged “serious violations of the Hatch Act,” including running for partisan state legislative office and soliciting political contributions. The Hatch Act restricts certain partisan political activities by federal employees.

In one complaint, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee was charged with violating the Hatch Act for running for a position in a state legislature. That employee allegedly also solicited campaign contributions for themselves and another candidate and used government time and the government’s Microsoft Co-Pilot license to create campaign flyers.

OSC says the candidate was warned about the Hatch Act violation— and resigned– but rescinded their resignation, resumed regular duty hours, and sought to take leave for the days they resigned once losing the primary.

In the other complaint, a U.S. Postal Service employee was charged with a knowing violation of the Hatch Act by running in a partisan election for a position in the state legislature and soliciting political contributions for both their campaign and the campaign of another candidate. The employee was the subject of a previous investigation for Hatch Act violations in 2022 and was found to have violated the act and issued a warning letter. 

“Political candidacy violations are black letter law under the Hatch Act,” said Special Counsel Charles Baldis.

The complaints were filed with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to pursue disciplinary action which could include reprimand, suspension without pay, termination, fines, or other actions.

CREW Says Complaints Unresolved

Meanwhile– the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)-- sent a letter to OSC saying that alleged “glaring violations" of the Hatch Act by Trump administration officials have gone unresolved for months.

In its letter, CREW said OSC has yet to resolve its complaints against six Trump administration officials, including five complaints that have been pending for at least ten months.

Many of the complaints stem from comments made by administration officials to the media. Officials named in the complaints include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, outgoing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.