White House officials have continued to use the term “MAGA” in official correspondence, despite a warning last week that doing so violates the Hatch Act.
The Office of Special Counsel sent guidance to federal agencies last week warning that the term “MAGA” was off-limits because it was too closely associated with former President Donald Trump’s campaign. But White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates sent out a memo on Wednesday that continued to use the term “MAGA,” according to Axios.
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In the memo, Bates wrote that Republicans’ “main economic agenda item” is a “MAGA tax welfare for the richest Americans and giant corporations, at the expense of continuing to grow our economy by investing in America.”
It is not clear what the consequences of using the banned term will be.
The warning came after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made a series of comments around the time of the 2022 midterm elections, warning of “mega-MAGA Republican officials.”
Although Jean-Pierre was not telling people not to vote for specific candidates, the office concluded that the “timing, frequency, and content” of her comments on “MAGA Republicans” constituted using the term to generate opposition to Republicans, which is political activity, and violates the Hatch Act.
“MAGA remains the campaign slogan of a current candidate for partisan political office, and therefore, its use constitutes political activity,” the OSC wrote in the memo announcing its decision. “Accordingly, federal employees should not use ‘MAGA’ or ‘Make America Great Again’ while on duty, in the workplace, or when acting in their official capacity, including communicating through social media, email, or on government websites.”
The Hatch Act limits partisan political activity by government employees in their official capacities to influence elections.
Despite the office finding that Jean-Pierre had violated the Hatch Act, it did not recommend any disciplinary actions and gave her a warning instead.
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The White House’s Counsel Office is still reviewing the special counsel’s opinion but will respond to it, Jean-Pierre said.
Jean-Pierre has actively tried to avoid violating the act, including by refusing to answer political questions. Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain and former Press Secretary Jen Psaki have also been accused of violating the Hatch Act.
