Which ONE of the following statements is a violation of the Hatch Act?

The Hatch Act is a federal law designed to limit certain political activities of federal employees to ensure that the federal workforce remains impartial and free from political influence in their roles. Among the activities restricted by the Hatch Act is the ability of federal employees to engage actively in political party organizations.

The assertion that federal employees could become officers in a political organization directly contradicts the principles of the Hatch Act. Such positions are considered active participation in politics, which is prohibited for federal employees while they are in their official capacity. This rule is in place to prevent any potential conflicts of interest and to maintain a non-partisan government.

In contrast, the other statements reflect actions that may be permissible under the Hatch Act. For example, federal employees can generally participate in political fundraising to a limited extent, they are encouraged to avoid engaging excessively in political activities to maintain impartiality, and they can run for public office under certain circumstances, especially when not on duty or representing their federal positions. The correct choice, therefore, highlights a clear violation of the Hatch Act by suggesting that federal employees can take on significant political roles that the Act expressly prohibits.