HHS Secretary Becerra violated Hatch Act, special counsel says

Health and Human Service Secretary Xavier Becerra violated the Hatch Act, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel has determined.

By supporting the reelection of California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla in 2022, Becerra ran afoul of the law barring federal officials from engaging in political activities while in their official capacities, wrote special counsel Henry Kerner to President Joe Biden, according to Fox News.

Padilla spoke at the Hispanic Caucus Institute Annual Awards Gala in September of 2022, shortly before the midterm contests during which he expressed support for the Democrat's campaign in his "official capacity," Kerner wrote.

"To my brother, my friend and Senator, and someone I will be voting for in a little bit more than a month, Alex Padilla, thank you so much, Senator, for being there for all of us," Becerra said at the event. "We are proud to have you as our Senator."

During the event, Padilla identified Becerra by his official title and presented him with an award.

"OSC concluded that Secretary Becerra violated the Hatch Act by expressing support for Senator Alex Padilla’s reelection while speaking in his official capacity at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Annual Awards Gala on September 15, 2022," he informed Biden.

"In delivering his speech, Secretary Becerra impermissibly mixed his personal electoral preference with official remarks," he continued. "While federal employees are permitted to express support for candidates when speaking in their personal capacity, the Hatch Act restricts employees from doing so when speaking as a government official."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.