Feb 4, 2020 - Politics & Policy

Watchdog files Hatch Act complaint against Jared Kushner

Fadel Allassan

An ethics watchdog has filed a Hatch Act complaint against Jared Kushner, saying the president's senior advisor advocated for the 2020 Trump campaign while appearing in his government capacity on CNN last Sunday.

The big picture: In the interview, Kushner discussed Trump's reelection efforts and weighed in on whether the impeachment proceedings have benefited the president politically. The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.

What they're saying: “Kushner’s blatantly political behavior while acting in his official capacity is a clear violation of the Hatch Act,” said Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Executive Director Noah Bookbinder in a news release.

Officials at the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Flashback: Last June, the OSC found that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway violated the Hatch Act by "disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in an official capacity during television interviews and on social media," and recommended firing her.

Conway ignored a subpoena from the House Ethics Committee to testify in connection with the violations.

Go deeper:

Add Axios on Google

Watchdog files Hatch Act complaint against Jared Kushner

What to read next