Karine Jean-Pierre and top Biden spokesman inappropriately used their roles to influence elections with attacks on ‘MAGA’ Republicans, government watchdog rules

White House officials Karine Jean-Pierre and Andrew Bates violated the Hatch Act when they were warned against using the word “MAGA” to describe some Republicans, a government watchdog agency said Friday.

The independent special counsel’s office said the two took actions “contrary” to official guidance under the law when they criticized the Republicans’ “MAGA” budget plan this year.

In its letter, first reported by NBC News, the office noted that the violations occurred days after Jean-Pierre was warned that she had violated a law designed to prevent federal employees from using their offices to influence elections.

This summer, the Office of the Special Counsel notified government officials that the use of the word “MAGA” and similar terms was effectively prohibited because they were considered campaign slogans.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre often refers to the Hatch Act when asked campaign questions, but a watchdog agency said she broke the law by using the word “MAGA” to describe Republicans.

The decision comes after OCS found in June that Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act when she repeatedly referred to “MAGA Republicans” ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. No action was taken against Jean-Pierre.

“MAGA” was former President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. The OSC stated that the use of MAGAnomics is permitted.

“We take the law seriously and support the Hatch Act,” a White House spokesman told DailyMail.com.

Jean-Pierre, Bates and other officials have repeatedly invoked the Hatch Act in press briefings, refusing to answer reporters’ questions about President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign or Trump’s candidacy.

But Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, and Bates, the deputy White House press secretary, repeatedly used the word “MAGA” when referring to the “extreme MAGA Republicans” and their agenda.

The complaint against the duo was filed by Protect the Public’s Trust, a conservative watchdog group run by former Trump administration official Michael Chamberlain.

“Clearly no one takes the Hatch Act seriously, at least no one who matters. Ms. Jean-Pierre often cites this to avoid tough questions, but when she and her deputy received the initial warning from the OSC, they redoubled their efforts,” Chamberlain told NBC News.

“They probably guessed there would be no consequences, and the OSC appears to have proven them right.”

Several Trump administration officials, including adviser Kellyanne Conway, were found guilty of violating the Hatch Act while Trump was in office.

At least 13 former Trump administration officials broke the law by combining campaigning with their official government duties, a government investigation found in November 2021.

Jean-Pierre, in particular, often refers to the Hatch Act.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates at the press podium in March 2022.

“MAGA” was former President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.

In December 2023, she used it to avoid answering questions about whether Biden would return campaign donations from disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

“I am subject to the Hatch Act, and I am happy to say that over and over again because we believe in the rule of law,” Jean-Pierre said in response.

In April, she invoked the Hatch Act when she declined to comment on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that he was challenging President Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination.

And in January, she invoked the Hatch Act in refusing to answer whether Biden would serve a full four-year second term.

“So let me say this: I’m not going to comment on the 2024 election – he is a candidate,” Jean-Pierre said, adding that she wanted to be careful. “And we comply with the Hatch Act, so I want to be very, very careful here.”