Looks like Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro just learned the hard way that federal law applies to everyone — even when you’re on a global stage.
For those unfamiliar, the Hatch Act exists to keep U.S. government employees from engaging in political activities while on duty. In other words, if you’re working for the government, you’re not supposed to be publicly rooting for candidates, period. But Del Toro apparently missed the memo during a trip to London last January.
During a speech at the Royal United Services Institute, followed by an interview with the BBC, Del Toro praised President Biden’s “mature leadership” and hinted that the world would be better off without Trump. These aren’t just throwaway comments — they’re a clear violation of the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which enforces these rules, saw right through Del Toro’s attempts to frame his comments as “national security concerns” rather than outright political endorsements.
Let’s get real. When you say things like, “The U.S. needs Biden’s leadership, and we can’t afford a president who aligns with dictators,” it’s not hard to see where you’re going. Del Toro may not have explicitly mentioned Trump’s name, but it was obvious enough to the OSC, which pointed out that his comments were more than just a casual critique of policy differences. He stepped over the line, and now it’s biting him back.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has very clearly broken the Hatch Act. He should step down immediately and then be prosecuted. His London speech partly supported Biden’s reelection and included remarks against Trump. This is illegal. He knew it. pic.twitter.com/s67a7dPAqh
— Michael D (@Michael34014458) September 6, 2024
Of course, Del Toro’s defense has been a mix of backpedaling and excuse-making. First, he argues that the comments were “spontaneous” and unscripted — as if that somehow makes them okay. Then he claims that because he was talking to a British audience, his comments shouldn’t matter since no eligible American voters were in the room. Sorry, but that’s not how it works. It doesn’t matter where you are or who’s in the room when you’re a high-ranking federal official. If you’re working in an official capacity, you keep politics out of it.
Even more ironic, Del Toro self-reported the comments to the OSC — probably hoping that would soften the blow. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The Special Counsel saw right through the excuses, calling his arguments irrelevant and criticizing his refusal to take responsibility for what was clearly a breach of the law.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has been found to have violated the Hatch Act by supporting President Biden during a taxpayer-funded trip, despite warning Navy personnel against political activity just a day earlier. His comments were interpreted… https://t.co/CGoG9eg1L2
— The America One News (@am1_news) September 6, 2024
At the end of the day, Del Toro violated the Hatch Act, and no amount of hand-waving will change that. Sure, the penalties might not be criminal, but the stain on his reputation is undeniable. Whether it’s Del Toro or anyone else, public servants are expected to serve the people, not play politics on the clock.
