Washington, DC — The FBI is facing a Hatch Act complaint after using an official government social media account to post a video attacking prominent Democrats, including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, weeks before the midterm elections.
The video, posted Tuesday by the FBI’s rapid-response account, described Democrats as the “DEFUND THE POLICE crowd” and accused them of allowing criminals to “run wild.” It contrasted those claims with footage praising FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Todd Blanche for arrests and drug seizures.
The video included images of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, former Rep. Cori Bush and El-Sayed. El-Sayed was specifically identified on screen as a “Progressive Democrat, Senate Nominee.”
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, arguing that highlighting a current candidate while attacking his political party amounted to government-supported partisan activity.
The Hatch Act generally prohibits federal employees from using their official authority to interfere with or influence partisan elections.
The complaint follows separate scrutiny of Patel over political appearances. In September, another watchdog asked federal investigators to review whether Patel violated the Hatch Act by appearing alongside Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin.
The FBI has not publicly responded to the latest complaint.
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