Ethan Wolf, a Commerce Department official, has been accused of violating the Hatch Act by using work hours to operate the viral X account “Kamala’s Wins,” which promoted Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. The complaint, filed by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), points to Wolf’s alleged misuse of federal time and resources for political purposes.
The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities during their workday or in government facilities. According to FACT, Wolf’s account remained highly active during government hours, posting content supporting Harris and other Democratic figures.
One notable post, made on September 17, promoted Billie Eilish’s endorsement of Harris and urged young voters to support her campaign. Other posts from the account spread misinformation, including false claims about NFL quarterback Joe Burrow’s involvement in a Harris fundraiser and inaccurate reports about J.D. Vance’s campaign events, both of which were debunked by fact-checkers.
FACT executive director Kendra Arnold stated that Wolf’s alleged activities represent a clear violation of federal ethics laws. “Federal employees are prohibited from managing or contributing to political accounts during work hours,” Arnold explained. She emphasized the need for the Office of Special Counsel to investigate the case thoroughly.
Wolf has denied sole control of the account since joining the Commerce Department but has not clarified who else manages it. Financial disclosures show Wolf earned income through his media company, Democratic Wins Media LLC, further raising ethical concerns.
This is not the first Hatch Act controversy for the Biden administration. Officials such as Karine Jean-Pierre, Andrew Bates, and others have previously been found in violation. Critics argue these repeated infractions highlight a pattern of disregard for federal ethics laws.
The Office of Special Counsel will likely determine whether Wolf’s activities warrant disciplinary action. If found guilty, the case would further underscore the importance of enforcing ethical standards within the federal government.
