A federal watchdog recommended Thursday that Kellyanne Conway be removed from her post as White House counselor for violating the Hatch Act, a law barring federal employees from engaging in political activity as part of their official duties. In a report submitted to President Trump, the Office of Special Counsel called Conway a “repeat offender,” saying she has repeatedly used TV appearances and social media to disparage Democratic presidential candidates.
Among Conway’s ethics violations, she twice violated the Hatch Act by endorsing Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore while speaking in her official capacity for the White House. In early 2017, Conway used an appearance on “Fox & Friends” to promote the Ivanka Trump clothing line sold by the president’s daughter.
Steve Doocy: “Thirty seconds.”
Kellyanne Conway: “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff, is what I would tell you. I’m going to”—
Steve Doocy: “Well, there is that”—
Kellyanne Conway: “I hate shopping. I’m going to go get some myself today. … It’s a wonderful line. I own some of it. I fully—I’m going to just give—I’m going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online.”
Legal experts say the Office of Special Counsel does not have the authority to discipline Conway, and President Trump can simply ignore the agency’s recommendation.