No Connection: Hatch Act and Cocaine Discovery in White House

White House Cocaine Scandal: A Surreal Saga

Over the weekend, the U.S. Secret Service made a shocking discovery in the White House – a little baggie of cocaine. Cue the Hunter Biden jokes. But what followed was a series of bizarre twists that have left everyone scratching their heads.

First, officials claimed the cocaine was found in the library. Then, they changed their story, saying it was discovered in a public section of the West Wing lobby. And now, the latest version has it being found near the Situation Room in the White House’s West Executive entrance.

Before we delve into the Hatch Act, which supposedly bars President Joe Biden from discussing the scandal, let’s take a moment to consider the significance of this location. This entrance is not accessible to random tourists; it’s a highly secure area within the White House campus, situated between the West Wing and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Only individuals with “hard passes,” who have undergone a Secret Service background check, are granted access. This is where senior staff and even Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade stage. Needless to say, there are cameras and uniformed Secret Service officers aplenty.

Now, let’s address the Hatch Act. According to the federal Office of Special Counsel, this law limits certain political activities of federal employees to ensure nonpartisan administration of federal programs and protect employees from political coercion. So, it’s perplexing that White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates cited the Hatch Act as the reason for not answering questions about the cocaine scandal. Legal experts quickly dismissed this excuse, stating that the Act is irrelevant in this context.

Attorney Bradley P. Moss expressed his confusion, saying, “I could envision other legitimate bases for declining to respond, such as respecting the integrity of the ongoing investigation, but references to the Hatch Act seem misplaced.”

Richard Painter, a former ethics chief, went even further, stating that the Act “does not cover snorting cocaine.” He called the invocation of the Hatch Act in this situation the most ridiculous he’s ever heard.

So, what’s really going on? Are they all high? It’s a question that lingers in the air as this surreal saga unfolds.

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The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Joseph Curl has covered politics for 35 years, including 12 years as White House correspondent for a national newspaper. He was also the a.m. editor of the Drudge Report for four years. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @josephcurl.