Watchdog says Trump adviser broke law with Biden criticism

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has been found to have breached rules pertaining to administration staff engaging in politics (Alex Brandon/AP)

A federal watchdog agency on Monday reported one of President Donald Trump’s economic advisers repeatedly violated the law during the election campaign by criticising Joe Biden.

The Hatch Act prevents federal employees from engaging in political work while performing their official duties. The agency charged with enforcing the act said Peter Navarro, director of the White House Office for Trade and Manufacturing Policy, used his position to influence the 2020 presidential election through his statements in television interviews and on social media.