DOJ memo lets Blanche and other Senate-confirmed appointees join political campaigns

Mixed · 2The Justice Department has loosened its guidelines on political activity for the attorney general and other senior political appointees, according to a memo sent this week by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie. 1 2 Mixed · 2It allows Senate-confirmed presidential appointees to speak at rallies, canvass for votes, campaign for candidates and serve as delegates or officers of a national political party, provided they act in their personal capacities. 1 2 Mixed · 2The guidance applies to the attorney general, the deputy attorney general, assistant attorneys general, the FBI director, U.S. attorneys and others. 1 2

Left · 1According to CBS News, the memo says these appointees are exempt from the stricter guidelines that apply to some other DOJ employees, such as administrative law judges and those in the Criminal Division. 1 Left · 1CBS News reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi had already loosened the rules somewhat by allowing political appointees to attend rallies and fundraisers, and that the new memo goes a step further. 1 Left · 1A 2024 memo from the Biden-era department said non-career appointees may not attend any partisan political events, even in their personal capacities, and should avoid public appearances in a state shortly before its primary or general election; that policy continued one set two years earlier. 1

Left · 1Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the Republican midterm convention in September and attended a rally for a North Carolina Republican Senate candidate, drawing criticism that he had violated long-standing norms meant to keep politics separate from law enforcement; Blanche said, "I am not in any way violating any rule or law," and that he acted in his personal capacity. 1 Mixed · 2CBS News says PBS News was first to report on the new guidelines; Just the News describes the policy as reportedly applying to the listed officials. 1 2