The Hatch Act was the wall standing between the government’s might and candidates. Tonight a candidate tore down that wall and wielded power for his own campaign. Citizen Trump is no longer presenting himself as a candidate. Now your government is telling you who should rule you.

It happened on Henry Kerner’s watch. With ample advance warning, he chose not to use the bullypulpit of his office at @US_OSC to object to this travesty or arm the people with detailed information about what was prohibited. Instead, the wall fell without so much as a whimper.

Kerner’s office sent a short response to Congress that talked only in general terms about the Hatch Act’s application to the White House and incorrectly stated that the president is not covered by any section of the Hatch Act. That’s not what was called for in this urgent moment.

Trump is covered by a criminal section of the Hatch Act that bars him from “command[ing]” any employee “to engage in . . . any political activity, including . . . working . . . on behalf of any candidate.” So Kerner’s letter was simply incorrect.