An ethics group said Jared Kushner appears to have violated federal law by praising President Trump’s new campaign manager.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) tweeted Tuesday that their lawyers were looking at taking legal action against Kushner for possibly violating the Hatch Act.
Kushner, who is President Trump’s son-in-law and one of his senior advisers, released a statement following the news that former digital adviser Brad Parscale would lead Trump’s 2020 campaign.
{mosads}“Brad was essential in bringing a disciplined technology and data-driven approach to how the 2016 campaign was run. His leadership and expertise will be help build a best-in-class campaign,” Kushner is quoted as saying in the statement, which originally included his official White House title.
CREW suggested in its tweet that Kushner may have broken the law by using his official White House title to endorse Parscale.
The Hatch Act “prohibits federal employees from using their official authority or influence to affect the outcome of an election.”
A version of the statement was later posted to the campaign’s official website that had removed Kushner’s title, the Associated Press first reported.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
The Office of Special Counsel has found several members of Trump’s administration in violation of the Hatch Act.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley violated the law when she retweeted Trump’s endorsement of a South Carolina candidate, the office said.
It also found that White House social media director Dan Scavino violated the Hatch Act when he used Twitter to call for the defeat of a Trump critic during the Michigan primary last April.
Both officials were issued warnings.
Counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway was accused of appearing to discourage votes for then-Democratic candidate Doug Jones in the Alabama Senate race. Jones went on to win against Republican Roy Moore.
CREW, a left-leaning government watchdog organization, has frequently battled with the Trump administration. They recently filed a joint lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming official failed to maintain public records.
Updated: 4:23 p.m.