The Justice Department has significantly eased its ethical constraints regarding political activity for its highest ranking officials. A recent memo issued by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie now permits Senate confirmed presidential appointees to engage in partisan efforts, including speaking at campaign rallies, canvassing for votes, and serving as officers or delegates for national political parties. These activities are allowed provided they are carried out in a personal capacity rather than an official one.
This sweeping change applies to a wide array of leadership roles, ranging from the attorney general and deputy attorney general to U.S. attorneys and the director of the FBI. While former Attorney General Pam Bondi previously relaxed rules to allow attendance at certain fundraisers and rallies, this latest guidance represents a much broader departure from previous standards. It explicitly carves out exemptions for top presidential appointees while maintaining stricter limitations for other staff members, such as those working within the Criminal Division or serving as administrative law judges.
The shift comes amid scrutiny over current Attorney General Todd Blanche, who recently appeared at a Republican midterm convention and a campaign event for a Senate candidate in North Carolina. Critics argued these appearances breached longstanding norms designed to shield legal prosecutions from political influence, but Blanche defended his actions by stating he never violated any laws or rules because he acted personally.
These new directives effectively dismantle policies established during the Biden administration, which sought to create a hard wall between DOJ leaders and partisan politics. Previous memos had strictly forbidden non career appointees from attending any partisan events regardless of their capacity and advised against visiting swing states immediately preceding elections. This pivot signals a fundamental change in how the department views the intersection of judicial leadership and political engagement.
