DOJ eases political activity rules for Senate-confirmed officials
The Justice Department issued a revised ethics memo that lets the attorney general and other Senate-confirmed appointees speak at partisan events, loosening long-standing restrictions.
The Department of Justice has circulated a new version of its ethics guidance, stating that officials appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate are not subject to the “further restricted” provisions of the Hatch Act that limit political activity. This revision allows Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Senate-approved DOJ leaders to address partisan rallies and endorse candidates, a departure from decades of self-imposed stricter standards.
Critics, including former ethics director Joseph Tirrell, argue the move undermines public trust in the department’s neutrality. The memo notes that such appearances should receive heightened scrutiny, especially near elections, and references factors identified by the Office of Special Counsel. The change follows earlier relaxations of Hatch Act guidance during the previous administration and reverses stricter rules that had been reinstated under Merrick Garland.
Why it matters
It expands political participation for top Justice Department officials, raising concerns about the department's perceived impartiality.
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