Why is the Biden administration closing the Hatch Act loophole now?
There are suspicions about Team Biden’s move to de-politicize the top ranks of the administration.
The Office of Special Counsel, an executive branch agency, has shifted the authority to enforce the Hatch Act from the White House to the quasi-independent Merit Systems Protection Board. The Hatch Act supposedly prohibits government officials from engaging in political activity.
Previously, senior White House personnel, such as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, have been allowed some political freedom. However, this recent move raises concerns about the motives behind it.
The sudden change prompts the question: Why now? It is speculated that Biden, or whoever is in charge at the White House, may be responding to criticism from left-leaning staffers who have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his perceived support for Israel’s government.
By moving enforcement to an external agency, the administration may be trying to avoid direct involvement in disciplining its own staff. This could prevent embarrassing situations where leftist staffers criticize Biden’s policies.
Despite this move, federal workers are still encouraged to engage in political activities under certain circumstances. For example, Biden has utilized federal agencies to promote voter turnout among Democrats and has used the Justice Department to keep his election opponent occupied with legal battles.
It appears that there is a double standard in Biden’s administration, where different rules apply to him and his staff. Staff members feel it is their duty to advocate for progressive causes, even if it means criticizing the administration’s policies.
Similar to his handling of classified documents and his son’s business dealings, Biden appears to have different expectations for himself compared to others in his administration.
