White House Official Neera Tanden Accused of Hatch Act Violation
Neera Tanden, a senior White House official, has been accused of violating the Hatch Act. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) filed a complaint on Wednesday, alleging she used social media to raise funds for political candidates. Tanden's actions could lead to penalties, even after leaving federal service.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace. Tanden, who serves as the director of the Domestic Policy Council, reposted fundraising communications for Democratic candidates on X (Twitter) in late July, August, and September. The White House acknowledged these posts but maintained they were primarily non-fundraising content.
Tanden is not the first Biden administration official to face Hatch Act violations. In 2019, Kellyanne Conway, a Trump administration official, was recommended to be fired for similar violations but was not. Two federal employees received multi-day unpaid suspensions for comparable offenses in September. The Merit Systems Protection Board will now handle such violations by White House officials, instead of referring them to the president.
Neera Tanden's alleged Hatch Act violations could result in penalties, including removal from federal service, a ban from future employment, or a civil penalty. The Merit Systems Protection Board will now oversee such cases, marking a shift in the handling of these violations within the White House.
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