Navy Secretary Del Toro Violates Hatch Act

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro violated the Hatch Act by endorsing President Joe Biden and criticizing former President Donald Trump during a taxpayer-funded trip to the UK in January. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) found Del Toro's comments at the Royal United Services Institute and in a BBC interview constituted prohibited political activity. Del Toro advised Navy personnel to avoid political activities just a day before his own violation was revealed. Despite self-reporting his comments, Del Toro and his lawyer argued that his remarks were spontaneous and aimed at discussing national security. The OSC emphasized that Del Toro's actions undermined the apolitical nature of the military and recommended sanctions. The Pentagon is currently reviewing the OSC's findings.