Kamala Harris Accused of Violating IRS Rule After VP Appears in Campaign Video Aired in Churches

The video has been denounced by the Secular Coalition for America, an advocacy group representing the interests of atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers, which slammed the advertisement as an “inappropriate mixing of government, politics, and religion”.

Over 300 Black churches in Virginia have begun airing a political ad featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, a move that critics say violates the Johnson amendment to the Internal Revenue Service tax code.

In the video obtained by CNN, the US second-in-command urges voters to vote for Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the upcoming gubernatorial election, scheduled for 2 November.

“I believe that my friend Terry McAuliffe is the leader Virginia needs at this moment. Terry McAuliffe has a long track record of getting things done for the people of Virginia”, Harris says

NEW -- More than 300 Black churches across VA will hear from @KamalaHarris btwn Sun. and November 2 in video message that will air during morning services as part of outreach effort aimed to boost @TerryMcAuliffe.#VAGOV

Video first obtained by CNNhttps://t.co/vaefXtWqUe pic.twitter.com/l8re0KUkN1

— Eva McKend (@evamckend) October 16, 2021

The amendment, proposed by Senator Lyndon B. Johnson (the 36th president of the US) was approved by Congress in 1954. It prohibits organisations, including “charities and churches, from engaging in any political campaign activity”. However, it is unclear whether the Democratic Party and vice president breached it. The Internal Revenue Service has not yet commented on the issue.

The political ad quickly went viral and sparked a wave of negative comments, with users arguing that it is illegal.

Seems illegal, unethical and downright corrupt to me.

— Senior Fellow Tony Bruno (@TonyBrunoShow) October 17, 2021

No, it's a violation of the Johnson Amendment to the tax code, which prohibits non-profits (including churches) from indulging in partisan politics. I expect there's some rules-mechanic excuse for this.

— Squirrel (@Squirrel3218) October 18, 2021

Even supporters of the vice president were concerned, while some netizens said that it was disrespectful to believers to play a campaign ad in churches.

Is this legal?!? I mean, I’m a fan of hers, but this doesn’t seem right.

— derekedwards827 (@derekedwards827) October 17, 2021

People are going to church for worship- and to nurture their relationship with Jesus- church is for service- not campaigning. Disrespectful to the lords house is an understatement

— VenturaJillian (@jcv1027) October 17, 2021

Many stressed the importance of the separation of church and state in the US.

Anybody ever hear about a “separation of church and state”? The day the church I attend gives this kind of message - is the day I no longer attend that church. @TuckerCarlson @TheLaurenChen @RubinReport

— Cindy McIntosh (@cindymc61956) October 17, 2021

What happened to separation of church and state?

— Alicia Vincler (@AVincIer) October 17, 2021

Others said that churches airing the video will lose their tax exempt status.

All churches who participate in this type of activity should lose their tax exempt status. I can understand preaching on issues that pertain to Biblical laws, but not specific parties or candidates. We need to stop looking at Democrat or Republican and judge by right or wrong.

— Shannan (@sweetshannan) October 18, 2021

#TaxTheChurches

— Sloan Kettering (@PourkTheHammur) October 18, 2021

Still others voiced doubt that government departments will investigate the issue if it turns out that the ad did violate the law.

We know the corrupt doj won’t do anything crazy times in USA

— lesko brandon (@leskobrrandon) October 18, 2021

she knows the scum IRS won't do anything about it

— P!STOLERO (@StoleroP) October 18, 2021

The second-in-command is not the only Democrat who has come under criticism for being involved in the gubernatorial election in Virginia. On 15 October, government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint against White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, claiming she had violated the Hatch Act by praising Governor Terry McAuliffe during her press briefing.

The 1939 law prohibits civil service employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president and vice president, from engaging in some forms of political activity.