Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro runs afoul of Hatch Act

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro previously mentioned that military work and politics shouldn’t be mixed. Del Toro stressed that the Department of the Navy is an apolitical body. However, in January this year, while on official government business, he switched into “campaign mode” while speaking of the need for Joe Biden to have a second term. Del Toro didn’t exactly answer the question regarding the US’s potentially “going isolationist” under a second Trump presidency.

From Navy Times:

“This is especially troubling because Secretary Del Toro has himself acknowledged that military work and partisan politics should not be mixed,” Dellinger said. “As he stated just this past July: ‘It is more important than ever for us to remember that the [Department of the Navy] is an apolitical body… Public trust and confidence depend on this.'”

During an appearance at the Royal United Services Institute on Jan. 25, Del Toro fielded a question regarding concerns the U.S. could adopt a more isolationist approach in the event of a different administration following the 2024 election. In response, Del Toro said that the U.S. and the world “need the mature leadership of President Biden.”

“I’m confident that the American people will step up to the plate come November and support President Biden for a second term as our Commander-in Chief, so that we can continue to work together as free democratic countries respect each other around the globe,” Del Toro said.

Later that day, Del Toro made similar remarks about the world deserving a second term with Biden in the White House in an interview with BBC News Sunday.

Del Toro self-reported his comments on BBC News Sunday on Feb. 1, noting that he aimed to address the significance of strong international alliances and national security issues.

“In retrospect, I believe my response should have been delivered more broadly without reference to specific candidates,” Del Toro wrote.

Thanks to a busy AW1Ed for the story. Additional Reading:

Stancy, D. (2024, September 5). Navy secretary faces Hatch Act violation for comments on Biden. Navy Times. Link.

Category: 2024 Election, Big Navy, Big Pentagon, Navy