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President Trump said Friday that he would not fire Kellyanne Conway, a White House advisor, after a federal watchdog had recommended her to be removed for repeated violation of the Hatch Act by indulging in partisan political activities on behalf of his boss.
"No, I'm not going to fire her," said the president on Fox News. "I think she's a great person. She is an excellent spokesperson. She was loyal. She is just a great person. "
Trump called the decision of the Office of the Special Advisor an infringement of Conway's First Amendment rights.
"It seems to me that they are trying to take away his right to freedom of expression – it's just not fair," he said.
The OSC – which is not linked to the office of the special advocate Robert Mueller – informed Trump on Thursday that Conway was a "recidivist" in the Hatch Act by denigrating Democratic presidential candidates while speaking on television and on social media.
"She must have the right to answer questions," Trump said Friday, adding that he would not advise Conway to mitigate his remarks either.
"It does not work that way," he said, saying Conway was only reacting to political attacks against him.
"A person could not speak and I just do not see it," he added.
The White House is not bound by the recommendation of the OSC, headed by Henry Kerner, a nominee appointed by Trump.
Special Advocate Henry Kerner said in Fox News Thursday that the president "has every option he would like: to reprimand or not to reprimand".
"It's at the discretion of the president and we respect that," he added. "I'm appointed by Trump – I have no animosity towards Kellyanne. My job is to keep the federal workforce as de-politicized and fair as possible. "
White House deputy press secretary Steven Groves said in a statement that the OSC's actions were "deeply flawed".
"The unprecedented actions of the Office of the Special Advisor (OSC) against Kellyanne Conway are deeply flawed and violate her constitutional rights to freedom of speech and due process," he said.
"Others, of all political persuasions, have opposed the fuzzy and unevenly enforced rules of the OSC, which have a deterrent effect on the freedom of expression of all federal employees."
House Speaker Elijah Cummings said his committee will hold a hearing with the Special Council Office on June 26 and will invite Conway to testify.
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