WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) – White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday that White House lawyers would review a decision by a government agency that it said violated a law that it limited the political activity of federal employees.
The Office of Special Counsel announced Monday that Jean-Pierre had violated the Hatch Act by referring to “mega MAGA Republicans” when speaking to reporters last year.
“Because Ms. Jean-Pierre made the statements while acting in her official capacity, she violated the Hatch Act’s prohibition against using her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the outcome of election,” the office said.
Asked at her daily briefing Tuesday about the ruling, Jean-Pierre said she had used the language given to her by White House officials.
“I was given permission to use that terminology at the time,” he said.
He said the previous Donald Trump administration had often referred to “MAGA Republicans.” MAGA is short for Trump’s political slogan, Make America Great Again.
Jean-Pierre said White House lawyers would contact the Office of Special Counsel to review the ruling.
Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Steve Holland; Editing by Leslie Adler
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
