Electoral and ethical policy of the Joe Biden administration

In a reversal of the frequent ethics violations of the Trump administration, the Joe Biden administration pledged to pass government ethics reform.[1][2] In response to the growing influence of special interests and gerrymandering in elections, the Biden administration also pledged to pass legislation and enforce policies to enforce electoral reform.[3]

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Background

Ethics violations

The Trump administration has been accused of multiple ethics violations and removing lobbying bans for personal profit and political benefit for reelection, and officials had been accused of violating the Hatch Act of 1939 multiple times.[4] The administration used the White House lawn during the 2020 Republican National Convention and had Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deliver remarks on an official visit overseas, which many outside sources said violated the Hatch Act.

Attempts to overturn 2020 US presidential election

Trump engaged in multiple attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 United States presidential election, and has been accused of suppressing votes from African American communities.

Electoral reform

Campaign finance reform
Further information: Campaign finance in the United States and Campaign finance reform in the United States

Ethics reform

Role of lobbyists

Biden signed Executive Order 13989, Ethic Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel, which set the follow lobbying restrictions for political appointees:[5]

  • banned from "accepting gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of their service"
  • banned for 2 years from the date of their appointment to "participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to ... former employers or former clients, including regulations and contracts"
  • banned for 1 year following the end of my appointment to "assist others in making communications or appearances that [they] am prohibited from undertaking by being available to engage in lobbying activities in support of any such communications or appearances; or engaging in any such lobbying activities"
  • banned from lobbying "any covered executive branch official or non-career Senior Executive Service appointee, or engage in any activity on behalf of any foreign government or foreign political party which ... for the remainder of the Administration or 2 years following the end of [their] appointment, whichever is later." after government service
  • banned from "accepting any salary or other cash payment from [former employers] the eligibility for and payment of which is limited to individuals accepting a position in the United States Government, as well as any non-cash benefit from [former employers] that is provided in lieu of such a prohibited cash payment."

DOJ independence

Executive Order 13989 also stated the commitments of political appointees to conduct that upholds the independence of law enforcement and precludes improper interference with investigative or prosecutorial decisions of the Department of Justice.[6] Biden promised during the campaign trail that Attorney General Merrick Garland would work for the American people and not as the President's personal lawyer.[7]

Transparency and data availability

Biden restarted the usual routine of daily press briefings that had been stopped by the Trump administration during the COVID-19 pandemic in light of frequent criticisms and gaffes.[8] In the Biden administration's first press briefing, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that her focus was on "bringing truth and transparency back to the briefing room" and that she had a "deep respect for the role of a free and independent press in our democracy and for the role all of [them] play".[9]

References
  1. "President Trump's worst offenses". CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  2. "Plan for a Government that Works For the People | Joe Biden". Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  3. "Plan for a Government that Works For the People | Joe Biden". Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  4. Solender, Andrew. "Ethics Watchdog Accuses Trump Officials Of 15 Hatch Act Violations During Conventions". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  5. "Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel". The White House. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  6. "Executive Order on Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel". The White House. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. "Biden introduces Merrick Garland as attorney general pick: 'Your loyalty is not to me'". the Guardian. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  8. Morin, Rebecca. "Meet Jen Psaki: Here's what to know about President Biden's press secretary". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  9. "'I also work for the American people': Biden's press secretary to hold daily White House briefings". www.abc.net.au. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
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