Kellyanne Conway violated the law, special counsel report says

The law prohibits government employees from engaging in political campaigns. No Images? Click here         Kellyanne Conway Violated The Hatch Act Twice, Special Counsel Report Says​ On at least two occasions last year, Kellyanne Conway, a close White House aide to President Donald Trump, violated a law that prohibits government employees from engaging in political campaigns, according to a report published Tuesday by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. In a letter to Trump, OSC special counsel Henry Kerner said Conway violated the Hatch Act in two television interviews granted in her “official capacity” in November and December. Kerner wrote that Conway “impermissibly mixed official government business with political views about candidates in the Alabama special election.” The OSC, which is unrelated to an ongoing investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, recommended that the president take “disciplinary action” against Conway for ethics violations. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to NBC News, however, the White House denied that Conway had broken any laws, and claimed that her on-air comments “actually show her intention and desire to comply with the Hatch Act ― as she twice declined to respond to the host’s specific invitation to encourage Alabamans to vote for the Republican.” READ MORE     WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? West Virginia’s governor and state legislators struck a deal with union leaders to end the massive teacher strike that has closed schools across the state for nine weekdays. READ MORE With support from Senate Democrats, Congress is on track to pass a bill that would enrich banks but slightly raise the odds of a financial crisis like the one that tanked the economy 10 years ago. READ MORE North Korea is willing to hold talks with the United States on denuclearisation and will suspend nuclear tests while those talks are under way, the South said on Tuesday after a delegation returned from the North where it met leader Kim Jong Un. READ MORE    .     ICYMI Dreamers aren't safe just because courts ruled against Trump on DACA. Many Dreamers could be subject to deportation despite the court rulings.   Instead of thoughts and prayers, Oregon passed a new gun safety law. Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill to stop convicted stalkers and domestic abusers from buying and keeping firearms.   Washington is the first state to pass net neutrality legislation, setting up a clash with the Federal Communications Commission.    . Want more?  Trump Administration Reverses Promise To Ban Elephant Hunt Trophies Bernie Sanders’ Son Is Extremely Mad Online George W. Bush Reportedly Sounds Off On Trump: ‘Sorta Makes Me Look Pretty Good’     How will Trump’s administration impact you? Sign up for our email and find out. Did a friend send you this? Subscribe here. Like what you see? Share it. Want more? Here are two other newsletters you'll love: The Morning Email and Must Reads. ©2018 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    . - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe