Oversight
Labor oversight official faces ethics complaint for apparent congressional campaign moves
While Anthony D'Esposito decided not to run for his former House seat, federal employees are not permitted to be candidates in partisan elections, which includes taking preliminary actions for a campaign.
Oversight
Inspector general’s reported plan to run for Congress is a Hatch Act violation, lawmakers and ethics orgs say
Federal employees are not permitted to run for partisan office or to prepare for such an election.
Oversight
Safeguarding the federal merit system at the Office of Special Counsel
COMMENTARY | A senior OSC attorney argues the agency’s work remains critical to protecting the federal merit system.
Oversight
Office of Special Counsel resumes Hatch Act enforcement against former feds for violations during their service
The agency had paused filing Hatch Act complaints against such individuals pending a Merit Systems Protection Board decision on the jurisdiction of former federal employees.
Oversight
Does agency messaging blaming Democrats for government shutdown violate the Hatch Act?
Legal experts agree recent messages by the Trump administration about the shutdown at least pose ethical concerns about government impartiality.
Oversight
Good government group alleges Commerce secretary violated federal ethics law
Several government officials have run afoul of the Hatch Act in recent years for making political comments in their official capacities during media interviews.
Oversight
Biden’s Social Security head ran afoul of the Hatch Act, watchdog agency says
Because Martin O’Malley left the federal government at the end of the Biden administration, the Office of Special Counsel said that it would not pursue disciplinary action against him.
Workforce
Some Hatch Act restrictions loosened under the Trump administration
Based on the new rules, civil servants may be able to display campaign items supporting President Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Oversight
Musk might have violated federal employee ethics law, lawyers say
Enforcement of the Hatch Act, which restricts the political activity of government workers, has historically been weak against high-ranking officials.
Updated
Oversight
Senior White House official violated the Hatch Act, OSC says
A filing with the Merit Systems Protection Board alleges that Biden’s domestic policy advisor shared fundraising messages for Democratic political candidates on social media.
Workforce
The peaceful transfer of power starts now
COMMENTARY | Why we need to talk about election anxiety in the federal workplace.
Oversight
Navy secretary violated the Hatch Act, OSC finds
The Office of Special Counsel also determined Education Secretary Miguel Cardona did not break the Hatch Act and concluded that federal employee activity related to Project 2025 is not prohibited under the law.
Workforce
VIDEO: More Hatch Act rules for federal employees, explained
The Hatch Act restricts the political activities of federal workers.
Workforce
VIDEO: Hatch Act rules for federal employees, explained
The Hatch Act restricts the political activities of federal workers.
Workforce
A Senate panel has advanced bills codifying skills-based hiring, restricting IG employees’ political activity
Bipartisan legislation would add employees in agency offices of inspectors general to the list of those “further restricted” from political activity under the Hatch Act.
Workforce
Does the Hatch Act apply to you? Election season do's and don'ts
The first installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Workforce
Can federal employees volunteer for political campaigns and make contributions? Election season do's and don'ts
The second installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Workforce
Can federal employees take part in political campaign activities? Election season do’s and don’ts
The third installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Workforce
How does telework affect the Hatch Act? Election season do’s and don’ts
The fourth installment in a series about the rules and policies federal employees should know ahead of the elections.
Workforce