The Justice Department has updated its guidelines, permitting the attorney general and other senior political appointees to engage in political activities. A memo from Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie outlines these changes, which allow officials to participate in political rallies, canvass for votes, and hold positions within national political parties, provided these actions are taken in their personal capacity.
This new guidance impacts a range of positions, including the attorney general, deputy attorney general, assistant attorneys general, FBI director, and U.S. attorneys. The memo marks a significant shift from previous regulations that restricted such involvement.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi had previously eased the restrictions somewhat, allowing political appointees to attend rallies and fundraisers. However, the current memo further expands the scope of permissible activities.
It also specifies that presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed Justice Department employees are exempt from stricter guidelines applicable to other DOJ personnel, such as administrative law judges and staff within the Criminal Division.
Attorney General Todd Blanche has already been active in this area, speaking at a Republican midterm convention in September and attending a rally supporting a North Carolina Republican Senate candidate. He faced criticism for potentially breaching longstanding Justice Department norms meant to ensure political impartiality. In response, Blanche asserted that his involvement in these events did not violate any rules or laws, claiming his participation was solely in a personal capacity.
The recent changes follow a period during the Biden administration when the Justice Department tightened restrictions on political activities for appointees. A 2024 memo established that non-career appointees should refrain from attending partisan political events, even in personal capacities. It also advised appointees to avoid making public appearances in states close to primary or general elections.
PBS News was the first to report on the updated guidelines, highlighting the contrasting approaches of the current and previous administrations regarding appointee involvement in political affairs.
