The U.S. Office of Special Counsel said in a report that Kellyanne Conway repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images White House Trump says he won't fire Kellyanne Conway

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has no plans to fire top aide Kellyanne Conway after an independent federal agency recommended that she be removed from her job after she repeatedly used her office for political purposes.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel sent a report to Trump on Thursday that said Conway repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity. It was the first time the office made such a recommendation for a White House official.


On Friday, Trump fiercely defended Conway and criticized the Hatch Act, saying it unfairly muzzles officials.

“It really sounds to me like a free-speech thing. It doesn't sound fair,” Trump said during an interview with "Fox & Friends."

“No, I'm not going to fire her. I think she's a tremendous person, tremendous spokesperson,” Trump added. “They have tried to take away her speech and I think you're entitled to free speech in the country.”

