In a recent report, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel has determined that Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro violated the Hatch Act by publicly endorsing the reelection of President Joe Biden and criticizing former President Donald Trump while on official duty overseas. The watchdog agency found that Del Toro's comments, which were made during a BBC interview and in response to questions after a speech in London, constituted a breach of the Hatch Act's prohibition on engaging in political activity while on duty.

According to the report, Del Toro stated, "The United States and the world need the mature leadership of President Biden," when asked about the presidential election following a speech at the Royal United Services Institute. He further added, "We cannot afford to have a president who aligns himself with autocratic dictators and rulers whose interpretation of democratic principles is suspicious (at) best."

During the interview on "BBC News Sunday," Del Toro was questioned about his comments regarding President Trump's democratic principles. In response, he stated, "When you have someone who doesn't align to those core principles, it makes you wonder, you know, should you be supporting that individual?" When asked if he believed President Trump had a suspicious attitude towards democracy, Del Toro emphatically replied, "Absolutely so."

While Del Toro later self-reported his remarks to the special counsel, stating that his intention was to discuss the importance of strong international alliances, the agency expressed concern over his unwillingness to take responsibility for the violation. The special counsel's report highlighted that Del Toro's comments, made before Biden officially became the Democratic nominee, interfered with the election and violated the Hatch Act's prohibition on using official authority or influence to affect election outcomes.

Del Toro's lawyer, Michael Bromwich, argued in a written response that his client's comments were spontaneous and unpremeditated, and did not explicitly mention President Trump's name. However, the special counsel firmly maintained that Del Toro had crossed a legal line with his statements.

The Pentagon is currently reviewing the report and its findings. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people, stating that all actions that could imply support for any political party, candidate, or campaign must be avoided.

The Navy will also address the matter internally, as Navy Capt. Clay Doss confirmed that the service has received a copy of the report. The consequences for violating the Hatch Act can range from suspension and demotion to termination or a monetary fine of up to $1,000. However, it is noted that penalties for such violations are rarely enforced.

This development comes after two Democratic members of Congress previously urged the Pentagon's top leaders to ensure that the military remains apolitical during the presidential election. The Office of Special Counsel's findings serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding nonpartisanship within the Department of the Navy and maintaining public trust and confidence in the armed forces.

The White House has not yet provided a comment on the matter.