Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s Hatch Act violation sparks debate on political neutrality in military institutions, raising concerns about the U.S. Naval Academy’s commitment to impartiality.
At a Glance
- Secretary Del Toro violated the Hatch Act by expressing support for President Biden during a work trip
- The U.S. Naval Academy faced criticism for inviting an anti-Trump commentator to speak
- These incidents highlight the importance of maintaining political neutrality in military institutions
- The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials from engaging in political activities in their official capacity
- Congress members demand explanations from Naval Academy leadership regarding partisan practices
Del Toro’s Hatch Act Violation
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has found himself at the center of controversy after violating the Hatch Act during a work trip to the United Kingdom. The incident occurred when Del Toro made supportive comments about President Joe Biden during interviews related to Operation Prosperity Guardian. The Hatch Act, which prohibits federal officials from engaging in political activities in their official capacity or workplace, was clearly breached by these actions.
The Office of Special Counsel investigated the matter and found that Del Toro’s remarks constituted political activity.
Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger stated, “When speaking in his official capacity on a taxpayer-funded trip, Secretary Del Toro encouraged electoral support for one candidate over another in the upcoming presidential election. By doing so, he crossed a legal line and violated the Hatch Act.”
OSC says Navy secretary violated Hatch Act with election comments https://t.co/zPhYuUiC8Z
— Inside Defense (@insidedefense) September 5, 2024
Naval Academy’s Controversial Speaker Invitation
Adding fuel to the fire, the U.S. Naval Academy recently invited Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a historian with known anti-Trump views, to give its annual Bancroft lecture. This decision has sparked outrage among conservatives who view it as a clear violation of regulations due to Ben-Ghiat’s partisan stance. The intended lecture on “militaries under authoritarian rule” was linked to former President Donald Trump, further exacerbating concerns about political bias within the institution.
“This is especially troubling because Secretary Del Toro has himself acknowledged that military work and partisan politics should not be mixed,” Dellinger said. “As he stated just this past July: ‘It is more important than ever for us to remember that the [Department of the Navy] is an apolitical body… Public trust and confidence depend on this.'”
The controversy surrounding Ben-Ghiat’s invitation has led to criticism of the Naval Academy for adopting what some perceive as “woke” ideology. This includes allegations of requiring midshipmen to state preferred pronouns, a practice that has been ruled unconstitutional by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as a violation of free speech rights.
Congressional Response and Calls for Neutrality
In response to these events, members of Congress have demanded explanations from Naval Academy leadership regarding the invitation and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. GOP Rep. Keith Self of Texas, along with 17 other members of Congress, emphasized that service academies should remain politically neutral, stating, “not arenas for political debate; they are publicly funded institutions charged with training future military leaders to serve under any administration.”
The Department of Defense has issued guidance to review political activity limitations for military personnel in light of these incidents. Active duty sailors are prohibited from attending partisan events, writing partisan articles, or speaking at partisan gatherings. These restrictions are designed to maintain the military’s focus on service and protection while avoiding the risks associated with political involvement and partisanship.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions remain about the vetting process for Bancroft speakers and how the academy intends to maintain impartiality on politically sensitive topics.
