Is the Biden team trying to avoid politicizing the upper echelons of the administration? It’s doubtful.
The Office of Special Counsel (an executive branch agency) transferred enforcement authority of the Hatch Act, which bans political activity by government employees, from the White House to a quasi-independent agency, the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Historically, senior White House staffers have come under intense scrutiny in this regard, including White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s frequent and derogatory use of the term “MAGA Republicans” (and White House aide Kellyanne Conway’s criticism of Democratic candidates during the Trump administration).
Somehow, we don’t think this means any muzzling of the KJP.
But this sudden move raises the question: “Why now?”
Our guess is that Biden (or whoever holds the White House power) is tired of being criticized by his (staunchly leftist) staff, who have publicly complained that Biden has been too supportive of the Israeli government since last November (despite consistently obstructing the Jewish state).
Shifting enforcement to an outside agency would deter pesky disaffected elements from publicly humiliating Biden and tarnishing his left-wing legitimacy without Biden having to apply pressure and get his hands dirty himself.
of course, suit Biden, federal employees at all levels are not only permitted but encouraged, and sometimes Required Conduct politics.
Consider how he has used federal government agencies to “get out the vote” and disproportionately benefit Democrats (including the president himself).
Or using the Department of Justice like a band of flying monkeys to keep his political opponents tied up in court rather than campaigning.
So it’s not surprising that these staffers have concluded that it is their right. Obligations — is using his platform to draw attention to today’s progressive cause: the condemnation of Israel.
But as with his handling of classified documents and his son’s shady business dealings, Biden has one rule for himself and another for everyone else.
