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Wyden asks Office of Special Counsel to investigate potential Hatch Act violation by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Politics/The Apex Times/Jul 14, 1:29 PM EDT

Wyden asks Office of Special Counsel to investigate potential Hatch Act violation by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has requested that Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer open an inquiry into whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. violated the Hatch Act after speaking with two candidates for congressional office last month.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) asked the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to investigate whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. violated the Hatch Act after making remarks to two candidates running for congressional office, according to a letter Wyden sent on Monday.

In the request, Wyden directed the inquiry to Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer, according to The Hill. Wyden’s letter focuses on whether Kennedy’s engagement with the two congressional candidates last month fell within conduct prohibited under the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political activity by federal employees.

The letter asks OSC to review the circumstances surrounding the secretary’s remarks and determine whether a violation occurred, The Hill reported. Wyden said the matter involves an alleged Hatch Act break tied to Kennedy’s interaction with candidates seeking elected office in the legislative branch.

The OSC role in such matters is to determine whether there is sufficient basis to pursue an investigation into potential Hatch Act violations, but The Hill’s report did not indicate whether Greer has opened a case or what, if any, findings have been made. Wyden’s request is framed as an immediate call for OSC action.

The allegation, if pursued, would raise questions about federal officials’ permissible conduct involving candidates while serving in executive-branch leadership roles. The timing is tied to an event last month, and the request is being made during the 2026 midterm cycle for congressional seats, with two candidates referenced in Wyden’s letter.

As of Monday, Wyden’s letter marked the latest effort to seek an OSC review of Kennedy’s political-related interactions. Any subsequent steps by OSC would follow from whether the agency decides the request warrants an inquiry into the secretary’s conduct, and what information OSC seeks as part of its review.

Why It Matters

  • The case centers on enforcement of the Hatch Act, a federal law that restricts certain political activity by executive-branch officials.
  • If OSC determines a violation occurred, it could affect how federal officials are permitted to engage with candidates while in office.
  • The matter highlights how Hatch Act questions can arise from public remarks and interactions during election cycles involving congressional races.
  • The timing of Wyden’s request positions OSC to decide whether to open or pursue a review tied to last month’s conduct.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Sen. Ron Wyden asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. violated the Hatch Act.
  • Wyden sent the request to Acting Special Counsel Jamieson Greer.
  • The request concerns remarks or speech by Kennedy made last month to two candidates running for congressional office.
  • Wyden’s letter seeks OSC action, according to The Hill.