Staff Reports
The Biden Administration is once again caught in a web of corruption as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Xavier Becerra, is found guilty of violating the Hatch Act. The United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has sent a notification to President Joe Biden stating that Becerra’s recent speech at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Annual Awards Gala on September 15, 2022, where he advocated for political activity while speaking in his official capacity, was a clear breach of the Hatch Act.
The Office of Special Counsel obtained video of the remarks in which a member of Becerra's staff "can be heard gasping after the Secretary’s comments about Senator Padilla and saying, 'no, no, you can’t say that.'"https://t.co/RweUxW5j7X
— Spencer Brown (@itsSpencerBrown) April 18, 2023
According to Henry Kerner, Special Counsel, Secretary Becerra’s speech showed his personal electoral preference, which is strictly forbidden for any government official, especially a Cabinet member. Moreover, he thanked Senator Alex Padilla for the award and mentioned, “someone [he] will be voting for in a little bit more than a month…,” an explicit violation of Hatch Act, which prohibits government employees from using their official authority or influence to affect the outcome of an election.
In response to the investigation, Becerra trivialized his remarks claiming that it was merely an “off-the-cuff” comment and that he had a “longstanding personal relationship” with the senator. However, the OSC claimed that his remarks had already caused enough harm to the Hatch Act, which was established to ensure a fair and neutral federal civil service without any political influence.
The reports further revealed that Becerra’s staff was even shocked by his comments, demonstrating his utter disregard for the high standards that are expected of a public office holder. Furthermore, despite his earlier attempts to justify his words, he now pledges to “ensure that there are no future violations” of the Hatch Act, raising doubts about his sincerity and integrity.
The OSC reminded President Biden that high-level officials’ unaddressed violations undermine the Hatch Act’s purpose, particularly during an election year. The Biden administration must realize that violating ethical standards will only lead to more scrutiny and distrust, severely scarring the Biden Presidency’s credibility.
