"I'm in charge of the Hatch Act," Trump "barked" at Mulvaney, calling him "weak"...

[Miles Archer]

In one disturbing tale WSJ White House reporter Michael Bender relays how Trump has apparently grown frustrated with White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney – his third in under three years – and attacked him during a meeting with other aides present.

President Trump wanted to bring his Cabinet to a June rally in the critical swing state of Florida. Appropriately, Mulvaney warned the president about the Hatch Act, which prohibits executive branch employees from using their positions for political activities.

“I’m in charge of the Hatch Act,” Trump “barked” at Mulvaney, calling his chief of staff, one of the most powerful people in the nation, “weak.”

Trump is not “in charge” of the Hatch Act. It is an 80-year old federal law that was amended in 2012.

https://www.rawstory.com/2019/10/im-in-charge-of-the-hatch-act-trump-barked-at-weak-chief-of-staff-mick-mulvaney-in-a-room-full-of-aides/

[COLGATE4]

1. Asshole truly believes that no law applies to him. Period.

[jberryhill]

2. He's correct, though

The decision to fire a federal employee for a Hatch Act violation ultimately rests with the president.

That's what happened with the OSC's recommendation that Kellyanne Conway be fired for violating it. Trump declined to do so.

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In June 2019, the OSC sent a letter to President Trump recommending that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway be removed from federal service for repeatedly violating the Hatch Act. This report follows the March 2018 OSC finding that Conway was a "repeat offender" for disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while in her official capacity during televised interviews and on social media. President Trump, when asked at a press conference, stated he thought the provision violated her free speech rights.
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The Hatch Act, incidentally expressly does not apply to the president.

[jberryhill]

3. That's why Kellyanne Conway still works there

Enforcement of the Hatch Act is, indeed, solely within the executive branch and subject to the president's approval.

Conway has been found in violation repeatedly. The Office of Special Counsel has recommended she be fired. Trump has declined to do so.

[Miles Archer]

4. I saw a "count" of her violations last week...

...can't remember if it was 30 or 50...something like that. Definitely not "low single digits."

[Ilsa]

5. This is insane.

There is no accountability with him.