White House adviser Peter Navarro accused of violating Hatch Act

WASHINGTON: The US Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has accused White House trade adviser Peter Navarro of having violating the Hatch Act and urged President Donald Trump to take "appropriate disciplinary action", such as a fine or removal from office, the media reported.

The Hatch Act, a US federal law enacted in 1939, prohibits federal executive branch employees from using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election, Xinhua news agency reported.

Under the relevant statute, the punishments for a Hatch Act violation can include removal from office, a reduction in grade, debarment from federal employment for up to five years, suspension or reprimand.

In a report to Trump on Monday, the OSC said: "From May 26 through October 19, 2020, during at least six media interviews where he appeared in his official capacity as Assistant to the President and Director of the Office on Trade and Manufacturing Policy, Navarro repeatedly attacked presidential candidate Joe Biden and/or vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

It said that Navarro also made frequent use of his Twitter account to attack both Biden and Harris, reports Politico news. (IANS)

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