DoJ Tightens Rules on Staff Following Controversy

[Webster]

(The Guardian) DoJ tightens rules around some staff attending election events
Political appointees at the US Department of Justice (DoJ) will be barred from attending campaign events or fundraisers, according to new guidance issued by attorney general Merrick Garland today, ahead of November’s midterm elections, Reuters reports. -- I know you agree it is critical that we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards to avoid even the appearance of political influence as we carry out the department’s mission. It is in that spirit that I have added these new restrictions on political activities by non-career employees,” Garland wrote in a memo.

While it is common for the justice department to remind its staff to tread carefully about political activities ahead of election seasons, Garland’s memo contains among the most restrictive policies in recent times.

Federal employees in general are subject to the Hatch Act, a law which limits some of their political activities to ensure the government is free from partisan influence.

Previously, political appointees at the department were permitted to attend partisan events in their personal capacity, as long as they sought prior approval.

Under the new guidance, however, there will be no exceptions – including on the evening of election day itself.

The change comes at a time when the justice department is under a national microscope over its extraordinary decision to search the Florida estate of former Republican president Donald Trump earlier this month. This was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into whether he illegally retained government records, including some marked as top secret.

In addition to the pressure the department has faced over its investigation into Trump, some of its political appointees have also faced criticism for attending political functions.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas in July called for an investigation after Rachael Rollins, an outspoken progressive prosecutor who serves as the US attorney for Massachusetts, attended a Democratic fundraiser that month that was also attended by first lady Jill Biden.

Rollins in a tweet following news reports on her attendance said she had “approval to meet Dr. Biden & left early to speak at 2 community events”. A spokesperson for Rollins did not immediately respond to a request for comment on today.

 

[Webster]

For reference....

Senator ‘demands’ investigation into Rachael Rollins attending DNC fundraiser

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is demanding an investigation into what he says is a “blatant violation” of federal law after Rachael Rollins, the state’s top federal prosecutor, attended a …

www.bostonherald.com

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is demanding an investigation into what he says is a “blatant violation” of federal law after Rachael Rollins, the state’s top federal prosecutor, attended a “high-dollar” Democratic fundraiser in Andover featuring the first lady.

Cotton, in a letter obtained exclusively by the Herald, “demands” the inspector general for the Department of Justice probe a “potential Hatch Act violation” by Rollins.

As the Herald first reported, Rollins showed up at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser with first lady Jill Biden on Thursday.

When asked if her attendance at the ritzy private gathering was breaking the law, she told a Herald reporter: “No.”

The Hatch Act strictly forbids DOJ employees from using their positions to solicit donations for political parties. In some cases, it does allow attending such events. But Cotton, in his letter to DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz, points out that Rollins arrived during “typical business hours,” in a vehicle with government plates and “in her official capacity as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.”