In October 2026, an internal Department of Justice memo authored by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie relaxed political activity restrictions for Senate-confirmed presidential appointees, including Attorney General Todd Blanche. The update permits officials to speak at campaign rallies and endorse candidates in personal capacities. While DOJ spokespersons contend the memo merely clarifies existing Hatch Act exemptions, former ethics chief Joseph Tirrell warned the shift undermines department impartiality.
Permitted political activities for Senate-Confirmed appointees
- ▪The October 2026 Department of Justice memo authored by Jolene Ann Laurie explicitly exempts presidential Senate-confirmed appointees from strict guidelines that prohibit other senior officials from endorsing candidates or addressing political gatherings
- ▪Under the October 2026 Department of Justice guidance authored by Jolene Ann Laurie, Senate-confirmed appointees may speak at political rallies, canvass for votes, and serve as party delegates in their personal capacities
- ▪In October 2026, an internal Department of Justice memo by Assistant Attorney General Jolene Ann Laurie loosened political activity rules for Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Senate-confirmed presidential appointees
Specific revisions in the October 2026 Department of Justice memo
- ▪The October 2026 Department of Justice memo authored by Jolene Ann Laurie replaced an advice clause to avoid pre-election public appearances with a directive that such appearances warrant heightened scrutiny
- ▪The October 2026 Department of Justice memo authored by Jolene Ann Laurie added language explicitly excluding presidential Senate-confirmed appointees from the Hatch Act's list of further restricted roles
Todd Blanche's political appearances and defense
- ▪Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that his political rally appearances complied with all laws and rules because they were conducted in his personal capacity
- ▪Attorney General Todd Blanche attended a South Carolina violent crime roundtable seated beside Senate candidate Sen. Darline Graham prior to October 2026
- ▪Attorney General Todd Blanche introduced President Donald Trump at a North Carolina rally for a Republican Senate candidate prior to October 2026
- ▪Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke at the Republican National Midterm Convention in Dallas on September 9, 2026
Ethics criticism from Joseph Tirrell
- ▪Joseph Tirrell asserted that Attorney General Todd Blanche's appearances alongside political candidates violated Hatch Act prohibitions against using official authority to influence elections
- ▪Former Departmental Ethics Office head Joseph Tirrell stated that lowering Department of Justice political standards damages public trust in nonpartisan official decisions
- ▪Joseph Tirrell argued that the prominent nature of the attorney general's office creates an improper appearance of political partiality even when personal capacity disclaimers are used
Historical Department of Justice political activity policies
- ▪Under Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2024, Department of Justice guidance prohibited non-career appointees from attending partisan political events even in personal capacities
- ▪Department of Justice policy historically maintained stricter political restrictions for presidential appointees than required by the statutory minimums of the Hatch Act
- ▪Former Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded Merrick Garland's stricter 'further restricted' guidelines, permitting political appointees to attend rallies and fundraisers
Debatable claims
- ▪Todd Blanche's rally appearances alongside political candidates violated Hatch Act restrictions against using official authority in elections
- ▪Department of Justice presidential appointees should be subject to stricter political activity restrictions than Hatch Act minimums
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