Trump Responds to Calls to Fire Kellyanne Conway After Report She Violated Federal Law
A new report by a federal government watchdog issued Thursday determined that White House adviser Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act — which limits political activities of federal employees — on “numerous occasions” by repeatedly blasting Democratic presidential candidates. For the violations, the watchdog recommended that Conway be removed. But in an interview with “Fox & Friends” Friday, Trump made clear that’s not going to happen.
“I’m not gonna fire her. I think she’s a terrific person. She’s a tremendous spokesperson,” Trump told the hosts, in comments reported by Fox News.com. Trump went on to criticize the Office of Special Counsel — an independent office tasked with government oversight (unrelated to the Robert Mueller investigation) — with “trying to take away her right of free speech” and suggesting that he wouldn’t ask her to dial back her rhetoric, saying he believes government employees should be allowed “to express themselves.”
On Thursday, the Office of Special Counsel Henry Kerner issued a letter recommending the dismissal of Conway, citing “numerous violations of the Hatch Act.”
“Attached to this letter is a copy of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel’s (OSC) investigative report detailing numerous violations of the Hatch Act by Counsellor to the President Kellyanne Conway,” the letter reads. “Ms. Conway’s disregard for the restrictions the Hatch Act places on executive branch employees is unacceptable. If Ms. Conway were any other federal employee, her multiple violations would almost certainly result in removal from her federal position by the Merit Systems Protection Board. As a highly visible member of the Administration, Ms. Conway’s violations, if left unpunished, would send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Act’s restrictions. Her actions thus erode the principal foundation of our democratic system — the rule of law.” (Read more from “Trump Responds to Calls to Fire Kellyanne Conway After Report She Violated Federal Law” HERE)
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