Trump Won’t Fire Kellyanne Conway, Disagrees “Entirely” With Fed Chair Powell

President Trump said on Friday that he wouldn’t fire senior aide Kellyanne Conway after a watchdog found she violated a federal law prohibiting political speech in her official capacity.

“No, I’m not going to fire her. I think she’s a terrific person,” Trump told Fox News, adding “I got briefed on it yesterday and it looks to me like they’re trying to take away their right of free speech. And that’s just not fair.”

“She’s got to have the right of responding to questions.”

On Thursday, Special Counsel Henry Kerner (no relation to Mueller’s office) said in a letter that his office had never before found such repeated violations by former presidential aides, and recommended that Trump fire Conway, who erred by “disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media.”

Two dead, including infant, after boat capsizes in New York Harbor; 12 rescued

Teen accused of killing 10-year-old cousin Lily Peters may avoid November trial after new hearing scheduled

WATCH: Dems stand by Maine nominee hit with report he fathered children with his second cousin

Hawaii contractor nominated to construct GOP comeback after two-decade Democratic hold on governor’s mansion

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green cruises to Democratic primary win, sets up fall matchup with GOP nominee

Hawaii rep cruises to Dem primary win after challenger arrested for beach brawl

Trump’s 4th of July fireworks display on National Mall confirmed as largest in history

Florida man allegedly kills family’s kittens in front of teenage daughter as form of punishment: officials

Watch: WNBA Player Ejected After Nearly Taking Off Sophie Cunningham’s Head With Clothesline Maneuver

EXCLUSIVE: Teen girls recall Jersey Shore ride malfunction that left them stuck hanging upside down

Trump’s White House ballroom foes face ‘very tough argument’ at Supreme Court, legal experts say

Fauci in the congressional wringer: a test for Trump’s newly-minted Attorney General

Graham replacement hopefuls make final pitches before special election: Iran war, DSA, Flock cams and more

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to what the Senate did and didn’t do overnight

One year on, US-brokered peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan cements US foothold in the Caucasus

“Ms. Conway’s violations, if left unpunished, would send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Act’s restrictions. Her actions thus erode the principal foundation of our democratic system — the rule of law,” reads the letter.

“If Ms. Conway were any other federal employee, her multiple violations of the law would almost certainly result in her removal from her federal position,” Kerner added. “Never has (the office) had to issue multiple reports to the President concerning Hatch Act violations by the same individual.”

“given that Ms. Conway is a repeat offender and has shown disregard for the law, (the office) recommends that she be removed from federal service,” reads a separate statement from the Office of the Special Counsel alongside the report.

As CNN notes, White House counsel Pat Cipollone pushed back against the report, writing that the special counsel’s office did not give the White House or Conway time to respond to the report, and that her social media statements and media interviews did not constitute violations of the Hatch Act.