'Four more years': Trump Agriculture Secretary appears to break rules prohibiting officials from making campaign statements during formal events

US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue appeared to flagrantly violate the ethics law prohibiting government officials from making political statements during officials events when he advocated for "four more years" for President Donald Trump at an official function in Mills River, N.C., on Monday.

"Mr President, as you saw those throngs of people lining both sides of the road from the airport all the way to Mills River here, those were those forgotten people that voted for you for 2016. And I've got better news for you: They and many others are gonna vote for you for four more years in 2020," Mr Perdue said at an event touting the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) "Farmers to Families Food Box Program" that is sending excess produce to families in need during the coronavirus.

Mr Perdue's remarks, which followed the president's, were broadcast live on the White House's official live streaming channel on YouTube, an apparent violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits government employees from engaging in partisan activities while on duty.

Mr Perdue made at least two other references during his roughly three-minute speech to the upcoming presidential election this November between Mr Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

"Let me tell you what, people don't vote for personalities. They vote for policies and people that get it done, like Donald J Trump," Mr Perdue said.

"You know, that's what people want. They want somebody who can get it done. They want a decider-in-chief. And if you've ever sat in that office, this man can decide," he said.

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