Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro faced swift backlash after being cited for violating the Hatch Act by endorsing President Joe Biden while on official duty. The violation came just a day after Del Toro had warned Navy personnel against engaging in political activity during the upcoming election season.
The Hatch Act, designed to ensure that federal employees remain neutral in political matters while performing their official duties, was the focus of Del Toro’s own guidance to Navy personnel. In the memo, Del Toro stressed the importance of keeping the Department of the Navy apolitical, particularly during election periods.
However, the Office of Special Counsel found that Del Toro breached the law when he expressed support for Biden’s re-election during a taxpayer-funded trip to the U.K. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger noted that Del Toro’s comments went beyond acceptable limits and constituted prohibited political activity.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) criticized Del Toro’s actions, stating, “Trust in our military has hit an all-time low under the Biden-Harris administration, and incidents like this only make matters worse.” Banks accused the administration of pushing its political agenda into military institutions, further eroding public confidence.
While the Biden administration continues to face scrutiny over its influence on the military, Del Toro’s violation of the Hatch Act serves as a reminder of the need for federal employees to remain nonpartisan in their official capacities.
