DOJ Appointees Can Take Part in Political Campaigns

The Hatch Act of 1939, to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities, is a U.S. States Federal Law that 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. It became Law on 8/2/1939. The Law was named for Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico.

In 1993, the Advocates for Removing or Modifying Rrestrictions on the Political Activities of Federal Employees Succeeded in Enacting the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 (107 Stat. 1001) that Removed the Prohibition on Participation in "political management or political campaigns". Federal Employees are still Forbidden to use their Authority to Affect the Results of an Election. They are also Forbidden to Run for Office in a Partisan Election, to Solicit or Receive Political Contributions, and to Engage in Political Activities while on Duty or on Federal Property.

President Barack Obama (D) Signed the Hatch Act Modernization Act of 2012 on 12/28/2012. It Mmodified Penalties under the Hatch Act, to allow for Disciplinary Actions in addition to Removal for Federal Employees, Clarified the Applicability to the. District of Columbia. of Provisions that Cover State and Local Ggovernments, lLmited the Prohibition onSstate and Local Employees running for Elective Office to Employees whose Salary is Paid completely by Federal Loans or Grants.

The Justice Department (DOJ) has Loosened the Guidelines for the Attorney General and other Senior Political Appointees, allowing them to participate in Political Activities. A Memo sent this week by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie (I) Relaxes Ethics Rrestrictions on Senate-Confirmed Presidential Appointees such that they can Speak at Rallies, Canvass for Votes and even serve as Delegates or Officers of a National Political Party as long as those Activities are Conducted in their Personal Capacities.

The Guidance Applies to the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorneys General, the FBI Director, U.S. Attorneys and others. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) had Losened the Regulations somewhat during Her Tenure by Allowing Political Appointees to Attend Rallies and Fundraisers. The New Memo goes a step Further.

It Specifically states that Presidentially Appointed, Senate-Confirmed DOJ Employees are Exempt from the more Stringent Guidelines imposed on some other DOJ Employees, such as Administrative Law Jjudges and those in the Criminal Division. Attorney General Todd Blanche (R) Addressed the Republican Midterm convention in September and attended a rally for a North Carolina Republican Senate candidate, drawing criticism that he violated long-standing Justice Department norms intended to keep politics independent from the law. "I am not in any way violating any rule or law," Blanche said about His Appearances at these Events, adding they were Done in His Personal Capacity.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker