AG Blanche, other high-level DOJ appointees can take part in political campaigns, memo says - CBS News
The U.S. Justice Department has issued a new memo allowing high-level political appointees to participate in political activities in their personal capacity. This policy shift reverses previous restrictions that prohibited such officials from attending partisan events or rallies.
Why it matters
This change sparks debate over the traditional separation between the Department of Justice's legal independence and partisan political involvement.
The Justice Department 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 relaxes ethics restrictions 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 had loosened the regulations somewhat during her tenure by allowing political appointees to attend rallies and fundraisers.
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