A vehicle traveled onto Redstone Arsenal displaying a large flag with the name of their presidential candidate of choice.
In an email about last week’s incident, a Redstone worker asked if there was a policy for reporting this kind of campaign display on Redstone Arsenal.
The answer is yes. The Office of Special Counsel can address potential violations of the Hatch Act, according to attorney adviser Paul Carlson of the Aviation and Missile Command Legal Office.
But in this particular case, “we don’t really know if this was a violation of the Hatch Act,” he said. “I don’t know who the person is (driving the vehicle).”
The Hatch Act, which limits political activities by federal employees, only applies to federal civilians. DOD 1344 applies stringent guidelines to military members.
Regardless of the legalities, Carlson discourages prominent political displays like large presidential candidate flags on a federal installation.
“As a federal entity, we are apolitical,” he said. “We, as a federal entity, serve the American people and not any particular party or person that happens to be in office.”
Under the Hatch Act, some permissible political activities include placing a campaign sign in their yard (except in installation housing). Putting a single campaign bumper sticker on a personal car, making financial contributions favoring political parties or candidates, expressing personal opinions, attending political events, assisting in nonpartisan voter registration drives and signing a nominating petition.
Some prohibited political activities that employees may not engage in while on duty are distributing or displaying campaign materials; wearing or displaying anything partisan (T-shirts, buttons, signs, stickers); advocating for or discouraging against any partisan candidate or party; or performing campaign-related chores.
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