Political Group Repays Interior Dept For Zinke Appearance During Official Travel

What’s the story?

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel and his department’s own inspector general for a pattern of mixing official and political activities on taxpayer-funded trips.

Such activities could be Hatch Act violations. The Hatch Act prohibits taxpayer money from being spent on political activities.

Of the more than a dozen trips where Zinke engaged in official business and also made political appearances, Politico reports that the Interior Department has received a single reimbursement — $275 for expenses related to a political fundraiser Zinke appeared at during a 3-day official visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands in March.

One other group has been invoiced by the Interior Department for a campaign appearance Zinke made for GOP Rep. Greg Walden in Oregon. No other groups have been invoiced, according to the Department, because the appearances did not meet minimum time restrictions or were done on Zinke’s "personal time".

Even given the small amount of reimbursement for the USVI fundraiser, Zinke likely has satisfied the Office of Special Counsel, who have historically maintained that "timely reimbursement" of government expenses is sufficient to prevent violations of the Hatch Act.

If Zinke is found to be in violation of the Hatch Act in future, it will be up to President Trump to enforce consequences.

What do you think?

Do you think Secretary Zinke is actually in violation of the Hatch Act, or simply ignoring the possibility of the appearance of violation? Do optics matter, even if he is not found to be technically in violation?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker