WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) today filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), requesting an investigation into Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for possible violations of the Hatch Act during an October 31 press conference on Capitol Hill concerning the Administration’s decision not to pay SNAP benefits.

At a jointly held event with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary Rollins attacked political opponents, accusing Democrats of “dereliction of duty,” calling then-New York City mayoral candidate (now mayor-elect)  Zohran Mamdani “anti-American,” and claiming Democrats “cannot be trusted with the reins of power.” DDF’s complaint argues that these statements amount to prohibited political activity “directed toward the success or failure of a political party or candidate for partisan political office,” in violation of the Hatch Act.

“Federal officials are barred from using the power of their office to attack political candidates or sway elections,” said Virginia Canter, DDF’s chief counsel and director for ethics and anticorruption. “Secretary Rollins’ comments were partisan, intentional, and delivered just four days before an election. That’s exactly the type of conduct the Hatch Act was written to prevent.”

The complaint notes that Secretary Rollins was clearly acting in her official capacity. She was speaking from Capitol grounds, was introduced by her title, and was discussing federal policy, and the timing of her remarks reflect an intent to influence voters.

“Secretary Rollins was invited to Capitol Hill to talk about SNAP benefits. Instead of focusing on how the Administration can protect Americans’ access to food assistance, she decided to treat her government podium like a campaign platform. This is an abuse of power and a violation of the public trust,” said Christopher Swartz, Senior Ethics Counsel for DDF. “The Hatch Act isn’t a technicality. It’s one of the primary guardrails that keeps our democracy from sliding into one-state authoritarianism."

DDF also highlights a broader pattern of Trump Administration officials using government platforms for political purposes, citing similar complaints involving White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from using official authority to affect election outcomes. DDF has asked the Office of Special Counsel to investigate Secretary Rollins’ conduct and take appropriate action.

You can read the complaint HERE

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.