Special Counsel to investigate Trump's use of White House for campaign at Pascrell's urging

The United States Special Counsel is investigating the use of the White House as a "war room" by President Donald Trump's reelection campaign, according to Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., who made the initial push for a probe.  

On Tuesday, Pascrell wrote a letter to the Special Counsel demanding a federal probe after reports of the president's campaign operating out of the Eisenhower Executive Office. That would violate the Hatch Act, which limits political activities of federal employees, Pascrell said.

Pascrell tweeted Thursday night that the Special Counsel is "investigating the Trump campaign’s use of the White House as an Election Day campaign command center." The Hatch Act excludes the president and vice president.

The story continues below the tweet.

According to a statement by Pascrell, the Trump campaign officials claimed that all equipment — even the WiFi being used — was paid for by the campaign with no involvement from White House officials. Pascrell questioned how the campaign was able to install such equipment in the White House and whether an official was consulted to consider national security risks. 

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Pascrell, a Democrat, has represented Paterson and surrounding towns in Congress for 23 years and has been one of the staunchest anti-Trump voices for the Democratic Party, previously calling the Trump "the most corrupt president in our history."

Pascrell now awaits an explanation from the Special Counsel into whether the Trump campaign's actions were indeed violations of the Hatch Act and who exactly was consulted, if anyone, on the ability for the campaign to use the executive office.  

Pascrell appears to be heading back to Washington, D.C., for a 13th term, with preliminary election results from Tuesday showing him with a wide lead over his challenger, Billy Prempeh.

Anthony Zurita is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all the major news happening in North Jersey, subscribe here. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: zuritaa@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @AnthonyRZurita