A North Carolina stop by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue was a violation of the Hatch Act when he urged those at the Mills River, North Carolina, event that they could get four more years of the “decider-in-chief” if they voted for President Donald Trump, according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
They said that there will be no disciplinary action against Perdue if he quickly reimburses the government for the travel costs that were paid by the U.S. Treasury. The law generally bars federal employees from engaging in political activities while on duty, but exempts the president and vice president.
The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington brought the complaint against Perdue. Prior violations of the Hatch Act by Trump administration officials have resulted in the Trump campaign providing the government with reimbursement.