# Secret Service agent suspended **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228 "2017-02-07T15:00:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/41 "2017-02-08T14:33:35Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Read The Hatch Act-- it’s referenced in your link. Doesn’t matter when she made the statement, as long as she was in the Secrete Service. What, we’re enforcing that again? I thought it got set aside for Comey. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/42 "2017-02-08T16:53:47Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > This made me think about how many Republicans are outraged that campaign finance laws are outrageous attacks on the First Amendment, but the Hatch Act’s prohibition on some pretty basic forms of political expression that are prohibited for some Federal employees? Eh, fuck 'em. They’re only bureaucrats. One of the risks is the media could (and would) toss a question at some low level guy who then gives his opinion. Next day, the headlines would say “Government spokesman reveals plans to murder all gingers” or something. So anything that could be used, misused, misinterpreted, or misrepresented, should come from a person at the appropriate level to speak policy, and authorized to act as the official spokesman for his agency. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/43 "2017-02-08T16:54:48Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > What, we’re enforcing that again? I thought it got set aside for Comey. Set aside ONLY for Comey apparently. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/44 "2017-02-08T16:57:23Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Your thinking seems to be a holdover from the Reality Era. > > Kim Davis, who refused to do her job of issuing marriage licenses, is still County Clerk for Rowan County, Kentucky. She should have been fired. Just like this agent should be. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/45 "2017-02-08T17:08:38Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > One of the risks is the media could (and would) toss a question at some low level guy who then gives his opinion. > > Next day, the headlines would say “Government spokesman reveals plans to murder all gingers” or something. > > So anything that could be used, misused, misinterpreted, or misrepresented, should come from a person at the appropriate level to speak policy, and authorized to act as the official spokesman for his agency. That has literally nothing to do with the Hatch Act. I suggest you read something, anything, about the Hatch Act. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228/46 "2017-02-08T17:28:14Z")
[http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/Ethics/ucm071602.htm](http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/Ethics/ucm071602.htm) In 1939, Congress approved landmark legislation known as the Hatch Act to limit the political activities of Federal employees, employees of the District of Columbia and certain employees of state and local governments. In 1993, legislation was passed that substantially amended the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 permit most Federal employees to take an active part in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns. While Federal employees are still prohibited from seeking public office in partisan elections, most employees are free to work, while off duty, on the partisan campaigns of the candidates of their choice. Permitted and prohibited activities for employees who may engage in partisan activities are as follows: Permitted Activities: •May express opinions about candidates and issues Prohibited Activities: •May not use their official authority or influence to interfere with an election (cough COMEY! cough) •May not engage in political activity while on duty •May not engage in political activity in any government office I plead ignorance. But be aware, that the mandatory training that is given on a regular basis, by the ethics and legal guys comes through to the rank and file as being far more restrictive. So it looks like the agent did not violate the Hatch Act after all. But chances are, she did violate some other policy. At the very least, it was poor judgment. At any rate, what I said about the media just grabbing some random jerk to quote, could and would happen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-agent-suspended/779228.md?page=2)