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AG Blanche, other high-level DOJ appointees can take part in political campaigns, memo says
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Justice Department has relaxed ethics guidelines, allowing senior political appointees, including the attorney general, to participate in political activities like speaking at rallies and canvassing for votes, provided these are done in their personal capacities.
- The new memo, issued by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie, expands on previous loosening of rules under former Attorney General Pam Bondi by explicitly exempting Senate-confirmed presidential appointees from stricter restrictions that apply to other DOJ employees.
- Attorney General Todd Blanche's recent participation in Republican political events sparked criticism, but he defended his actions as compliant with the updated guidelines, emphasizing they were conducted personally and not in an official capacity.
- This policy shift contrasts with the Biden-era Justice Department's earlier stance, which prohibited non-career appointees from attending partisan political events and advised avoiding public appearances near elections in certain states.
