Staff ReportsIn yet another display of disregard for the rules, senior Biden administration officials at the Department of Transportation have been caught red-handed, allegedly violating the Hatch Act. An independent watchdog group, Protect the Public’s Trust, recently dug up emails that reveal top DOT officials were dabbling in political language—the kind that’s best reserved for campaign rallies, not the hallowed halls of government.
The emails, which were unearthed through a diligent investigation, show that key players in the DOT, including Matt Lehner, Kerry Arndt, and Dani Simons, were using terms like “Extreme MAGA Republicans” and “Finish the Job” in their communications. Apparently, the Hatch Act—designed to keep government employees from mixing politics with their day jobs—only counts if one feels like it. In the case of Biden’s crew, it looks like it was treated more like a pesky guideline than a legal requirement.
Michael Chamberlain, the director of Protect the Public’s Trust, highlighted the blatant flouting of the law. He pointed out that the Office of Special Counsel had issued clear guidance to all federal agencies against using the term “MAGA” in official communications. Yet here we are, with the DOT not only ignoring that mandate but also sending out missives laden with campaign rhetoric, as if they’re gearing up for a 2024 election campaign instead of focusing on transportation issues.
Internal comms show Biden DOT officials use campaign slogans, may have violated the Hatch Act https://t.co/neZxgA20PX
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) January 16, 2025
If it wasn’t already clear, the White House appears to be the mastermind behind this political propaganda. The materials forwarded from the White House to the DOT suggest a coordinated effort to bash Republicans, even as the Hatch Act stands in the way. The irony is rich, given that this administration has touted itself as the most ethical in history. Surely, ethical administrations don’t throw rules out the window like confetti at a parade?
This isn’t the first time Biden administration officials have danced on the brink of Hatch Act violations. Previous incidents involved none other than press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who also found herself in hot water for similar infractions. But why let a little thing like the rule of law get in the way when the only thing that matters is pushing a political narrative? It seems the only lesson to be learned here is that for the Biden administration, rules are just a suggestion—unless they happen to be the ones holding the power.
