The White House is pushing back against allegations that a tweet from a top Trump aide violated longstanding prohibition on using an official position to influence an election.

"Dan Scavino's tweet does not violate the Hatch Act as it clearly comes from his personal account and not his official White House account," a White House official said, according to ABC News.

"He created an official account upon entering the White House to ensure compliance with the Hatch Act and he has taken the necessary steps to ensure there is a clear distinction between both Twitter accounts."

ADVERTISEMENT

The Hatch Act prohibits executive branch employees from using their offices to try to sway elections or influence campaigns.

And Scavino himself weighed in on Sunday afternoon, tweeting, "What 'ethics lawyers?' The ones from the Obama Admin who want to take Trump down, or the Bush Admin who were #NeverTrump ? No thanks!"

What 'ethics lawyers?' The ones from the Obama Admin who want to take Trump down, or the Bush Admin who were #NeverTrump? No thanks! https://t.co/lyqw26sbGP — Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) April 2, 2017

". @realDonaldTrump is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan. @justinamash is a big liability. #TrumpTrain , defeat him in primary," Scavino tweeted Saturday.

After the tweet was posted, Richard Painter, a former chief ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush White House, argued that Scavino had violated the Hatch Act.

Scavino sent the tweet from an account labeled as "personal," but Painter pointed to the account's image — Scavino pictured in the White House — and called for him to be fired.

"Ethics 101- You can't put official titles and WH photos all over your "personal" Twitter page and use it for partisan politics. Hatch Act," Painter tweeted.

Daniel Jacobson, a former lawyer for the Obama White House, also said Scavino had violated the Hatch Act.

He tweeted that White House staff "can't use an official or de facto govt Twitter acct (which this is) to call for defeat of a candidate."

Amash responded to the tweet, saying the Trump administration and establishment have "merged into #Trumpstablishment."

"Same old agenda: Attack conservatives, libertarians & independent thinkers," Amash tweeted.

Updated 6:07 p.m.