Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is already under a lot of scrutiny for his decision to deliver a pre-taped speech at the Republican National Convention, and he's now the subject of a House investigation.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, launched the inquiry Tuesday, calling the speech "highly unusual," "likely unprecedented," and maybe "illegal." Diplomats have expressed concern about the speech since State Department policy stipulate officials confirmed by the Senate refrain from getting involved in partisan events, but critics also believe Pompeo is violating the Hatch Act, which prohibits all employees of the executive branch — save for the president and vice president — from participating in political activities.
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