Trump Has Quick Answer About Kellyanne Conway

He tells Fox News that he's not going to fire her over the Hatch Act
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 14, 2019 8:40 AM CDT
Trump: No, I'm Not Firing Kellyanne Conway
Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway pauses while speaking to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 29, 2019.   (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

A federal watchdog wants President Trump to fire top adviser Kellyanne Conway. On Friday, Trump called in to Fox News and made clear that's not going to happen, reports the Hill. "No, I'm not going to fire her," Trump said during his call-in to Fox & Friends. "I think she's a terrific person." His defense of Conway comes a day after the Office of Special Counsel (unrelated to Robert Mueller) said she had repeatedly violated the Hatch Act, which bars federal employees from engaging in politics while on the job. Specifically, the OSC said Conway routinely goes on TV and disparages Democratic candidates.

"It looks to me they're trying to take away her right from free speech and that’s just not fair," said Trump, adding that he doubts he'll even recommend that Conway change her behavior. He suggested that the comments that got her into hot water came about because she was merely answering questions. "You ask a person a question, and every time you're supposed to say, 'I can't answer, I can't answer?'" Trump said, per the Washington Post. "I mean, she’s got to have a right of responding to questions." (Meanwhile, no official word yet on who Trump will pick to replace Sarah Sanders.)

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