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August 26, 2020

Chairman Thompson Requests Investigation into Chad Wolf for Hatch Act Violation

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Office of Special Counsel to request the office investigate Department of Homeland Security official Chad Wolf for an apparent Hatch Act violation after he participated in the Republican National Convention last night.  Mr. Wolf, who was illegally appointed to his position, has a pattern of politicizing the Department’s non-partisan, national security mission. 


Letter text:

I write today to urge the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether The Honorable Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security used an official government position for the purpose of affecting the outcome of an election in violation of the Hatch Act.

On August 25, 2020, Mr. Wolf performed a naturalization ceremony on government property to be aired at the Republican National Convention for the apparent purpose of advancing the President's reelection. During the ceremony in the Great Hall of the White House, the President introduced Mr. Wolf as the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Wolf administered the Oath of Citizenship to five individuals and stated that he was making his remarks on behalf of the men and women of the Department.

This is an unprecedented politicization of the naturalization ceremony – an official function of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Wolf's participation appears to constitute engaging in political activity while acting in an official capacity. It also sets a bad example for the Department’s 240,000 employees who are required to comply with the Hatch Act. Accordingly, I urge you to investigate Mr. Wolf’s participation in this event to determine whether it violated the law.

Link to Letter

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