The Biden Administration once again sparks controversy by not commenting on the cocaine found in the White House and directing all inquiries about the case to the Secret Service press office, citing the Hatch Act.
This Thursday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates preferred invoking the Hatch Act when asked if he could answer whether Joe Biden or his son Hunter owned the drugs found in the west wing of the President’s official residence.
“I don’t have a response to that because we have to be careful about the Hatch Act,” Bates said. However, the legislation prohibits federal employees from speaking or using federal resources for campaign purposes.
On claims "the cocaine found in the White House had belonged to either the president or his son. Are you willing to say that that's not the case?"
Mid-level Biden staffer Andrew Bates: "I don't have a response to that because we have to be careful about the Hatch Act" pic.twitter.com/zuM30v5Fli
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 6, 2023
Experts outraged
Following the White House spokesman’s statement, attorney Bradley P. Moss explained to Fox News Digital that the Hatch Act is irrelevant to addressing this case, so it is unknown why Bates invoked it to evade the question.
“I could envision other legitimate bases for declining to respond, such as respecting the integrity of the ongoing investigation, but references to the Hatch Act seem misplaced,” he said.
Another expert who opined on the matter was former Bush administration ethics chief Richard Painter, who agreed that invoking the Hatch Act makes no sense in this case.
“What the —— does the Hatch Act have to do with cocaine? This is the most ridiculous invocation of the Hatch Act I’ve ever heard,” he commented.
The director of communications for the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), Mike Joyce, underlined the irony that the same White House now invoking the Hatch Act violated the same law by disparaging Republican candidates shortly before the 2022 midterm elections.
The same White House who said 'mega MAGA' from the briefing room podium (therefore violating the Hatch Act). Can't make this stuff up folks. https://t.co/YvmPLlvQjd
— Mike Joyce (@mjoyce317) July 6, 2023
Other reactions
How does the Hatch Act apply to discussing who the White House cocaine belongs to?
They're creating more questions than answers about this whole thing.
Makes you wonder what they're trying to *actually* distract us from.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 7, 2023
I think it’s safe to say junior staffer @AndrewJBates46 has no clue what the Hatch Act is. https://t.co/kz4Lcv9kHc
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) July 6, 2023
I would love to hear @AndrewJBates46 explain how the Hatch Act prohibits WH staff from answering questions about cocaine. https://t.co/ft9dVCJxFu
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) July 7, 2023
This answer was worse than just screaming and running away. https://t.co/9cm4gm3Moy
— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) July 6, 2023
