This is news to me I have to admit.
Federal law -- the Hatch Act of 1939, amended by Congress in 1993 -- specifically prohibits secretaries of state from attending political conventions, and the State Department's own ethics guidelines also rule out political activity.
Federal law -- the Hatch Act of 1939, amended by Congress in 1993 -- specifically prohibits secretaries of state from attending political conventions, and the State Department's own ethics guidelines also rule out political activity.
A senior administration official, speaking on background because the official is not authorized to speak on the record, told CNN, "The law carved out the State Department as having a unique position in the government in that foreign policy, by its nature, must remain nonpartisan/apolitical."
"So State Department officials -- specifically those who are presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate (i.e. the secretary) -- are far more restricted than, say, someone who works at the Education Department."
"So State Department officials -- specifically those who are presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate (i.e. the secretary) -- are far more restricted than, say, someone who works at the Education Department."
The Hatch Act was designed to restrict the ability of executive branch officials from engaging in political activities - which is difficult if you consider that top level executive branch personnel are political by nature - not so lower level personnel though. Its one of many laws passed over history dealing with, and attempting to curtail, political corruption
We'll discuss these further in various parts of each class.
- Wikipedia: Hatch Act.
- From the Office of Special Counsel: List of Permitted and Prohibited Activities.
- National Archives: Hatch Act and Political Activities.
