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The chairman of a Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee said on Tuesday that he is probing whether Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's appearance at the Republican National Convention breaks federal law and regulations.
Multiple reports said Pompeo filmed a speech for the Republican National Convention on August 24, 2020, while he was visiting Jerusalem on official U.S. government business, said Joaquin Castro, head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's oversight subcommittee, in a statement.
"The Trump administration and Secretary Pompeo have shown a gross disregard not only of basic ethics, but also a blatant willingness to violate federal law for political gain. Congress has a responsibility to stand up for the rule of law and hold them accountable for this corrupt behavior,"added Castro.
Pompeo, a Trump appointee widely believed to harbor presidential aspirations, said the president had "led bold initiatives in nearly every corner of the world," defeating Islamic State militants (ISIL) and lowering the threat from North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK).
In a letter to Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun, Castro said Pompeo's appearance is "highly unusual and likely unprecedented," and "may also be illegal."
It came about one month after Pompeo just reminded employees to "not improperly engage the Department of State in the political process," according to a cable obtained by the media.
A State Department official said that the secretary was appearing in his personal capacity and no State Department personnel or resources were involved, according to Reuters.
Castro told Biegun that it is "readily apparent" from documents in his panel's possession that Pompeo's appearance may violate the Hatch Act, federal regulations implementing that law and federal rules.
Under the Hatch Act, federal employees are generally not permitted to engage in partisan political activities while on duty, in a federal room or building, wearing an official uniform or insignia or using a government vehicle.
He asked that Biegun answer by no later than September 1 a series of questions and arrange a briefing for lawmakers by the same date.
(CGTN)
