The Daily Caller reported Thursday that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) found that U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm violated a federal ethics law by praising the Democratic Party in a live interview:
Granholm violated the Hatch Act of 1939, which prohibits federal employees from participating in political speech or campaigning activities, when she was interviewed for a Marie Claire Instagram Live video on Oct. 6, 2021, according to the OSC report.
Because Granholm was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she must adhere to the Hatch Act, which limits her political speech while serving in her official capacity, the OSC stated.
“OSC has concluded that Secretary Granholm engaged in political activity when she gave this response promoting the electoral success of the Democratic Party. Specifically, when asked what viewers could do to ensure that certain legislation gets passed, Secretary Granholm began her answer by commenting that Democrats now have a majority in the House and the Senate, which is ‘good news,’” the OSC continued.
Granholm praised the Democratic Party’s “bare majority” in her Marie Claire interview after previously answering questions “related to her official position as the head of the Department of Energy,” the OSC reported.
Biden’s oil and energy policies, including shutting down pipelines and restricting drilling permits have had absolutely zero impact on the prices at the gas pump. “Ask Vladimir Putin about the prices,” says Granholm. pic.twitter.com/bE2AVn5GJw
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 30, 2022
The OSC found that Granholm also instructed the audience in the interview to vote for Democrat candidates.
“With respect to the Marie Claire interview, OSC has concluded that Secretary Granholm violated the Hatch Act,” OSC stated. “However, we are not recommending disciplinary action and have issued her a warning letter.”