WASHINGTON, D.C./September 30, 2026 — The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today announced five Hatch Act cases resolved by settlement agreements with federal employees. OSC also filed a disciplinary complaint with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) against another federal employee for alleged Hatch Act violations. These matters involve prohibited political activity, including engaging in political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace, political activity on social media, solicitation of political contributions, or the use of official authority or influence to affect an election.
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A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee violated the Hatch Act by engaging in conversations at work with subordinates and sending multiple text messages to a group thread that included subordinates, in which the employee discussed support for or opposition to political parties and candidates for partisan political office. The employee also wore a hat and sweatshirts in the workplace expressing opposition to a presidential candidate in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
As part of the settlement agreement with OSC, the employee agreed to retire from federal employment and not seek federal employment for at least four years.
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An Internal Revenue Service employee repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by attempting to draw coworkers into discussions about candidates and political parties and expressing support for one presidential candidate while opposing others. Although the employee had significant knowledge of the Hatch Act, the employee continued the prohibited conduct throughout the 2024 election period.
To resolve the matter, the employee agreed to a 10-day suspension without pay and to complete additional Hatch Act training.
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A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supervisory employee violated the Hatch Act on several occasions by making partisan political posts on Facebook while on duty. The employee reposted a candidate’s fundraising message that included a “Donate Now” button, which amounted to an unlawful solicitation of political contributions. These violations occurred despite the employee having completed government ethics training and receiving agency reminders about Hatch Act restrictions. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from knowingly soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions at any time.
The employee agreed to a six-day suspension without pay as part of the settlement agreement with OSC.
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A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employee violated the Hatch Act by using Facebook on at least four occasions to share material from a partisan political group and the campaign of a candidate for partisan political office. On one occasion, the employee also shared a donation link for the candidate’s campaign.
Because FBI employees are further restricted under the Hatch Act, the employee’s conduct violated the prohibition against taking an active part in political management or political campaigns, as well as the prohibition against soliciting political contributions at any time.
As part of the settlement agreement with OSC, the employee agreed to a five-day suspension without pay.
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A U.S. Department of State employee violated the Hatch Act by posting partisan political messages on LinkedIn while on duty on at least three occasions. On seven other occasions, the employee’s official title and agency name appeared alongside partisan messages.
The employee acknowledged that they should have known about the Hatch Act’s prohibitions and accepted a three-day suspension without pay as a penalty for the violations.
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Finally, OSC filed a disciplinary complaint with the MSPB against a Federal Protective Service (FPS) employee for alleged Hatch Act violations. The complaint alleges that in September 2024, during an inspection of the employee’s subordinates’ vehicles, the employee made comments suggesting the subordinates should vote for a particular candidate for partisan political office. OSC alleges that the employee engaged in political activity while on duty and in a federal building and used official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election.
OSC filed the complaint with the MSPB to seek disciplinary action, which may include a reprimand, suspension without pay, removal, debarment from federal employment, a civil penalty, or other administrative sanctions.
The Hatch Act places important restrictions on partisan political activity by federal employees to help ensure federal programs are administered fairly and that federal employees are protected from political coercion. OSC will continue to educate federal employees about their Hatch Act responsibilities and take appropriate enforcement action when violations occur.
For more information about the Hatch Act and OSC’s guidance for federal employees, visit https://www.osc.gov/services/hatch-act/federal/.