The White House has chosen not to provide any comments on the ongoing investigation regarding the discovery of cocaine in the West Wing. The incident has created a lot of buzz.

White House officials have directed inquiries about the situation to the Secret Service press office, citing the Hatch Act, which forbids federal workers from discussing political campaigns while acting in their official roles.

Also read | Controversy surrounds Kamala Harris as cocaine found near her car ignites speculation

What is Hatch Act?

The Hatch Act of 1939, officially known as “An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities,” is a federal law in the United States. The main goal of the act is to limit certain political actions of federal public servants working in the executive arm of the government, except for the president and vice president.

The law was enacted on August 2, 1939, and is named after Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico. It has undergone amendments, with the most recent one happening in 2012. The Hatch Act aims to ensure that government employees maintain a nonpartisan stance while carrying out their official duties.

Also read | What is Situation Room? Cocaine found in White House

The White House deputy press secretary, Andrew Bates, spoke to the media on Thursday and advised reporters to exercise caution when asking him about the continuing cocaine probe because he works for the federal government. The move comes after former president Donald Trump accused Vice President Biden and his son Hunter of using the illicit drug.

Bates claimed the Hatch Act as the reason he is unable to respond to the former president’s assertions because it prohibits political talk by government personnel. The Secret Service is currently looking into the finding of a small amount of cocaine in a plastic bag in a West Wing area.

Also read | Who is Wynter Cole Smith, missing 2-year-old from Detroit found dead

As of now, it has not been made clear that Biden family members who live in or frequently visit the White House may be subject to fingerprinting or drug testing as part of the continuing cocaine inquiry, as the White House has declined to comment on this.