The Trump administration on Friday relaxed enforcement of certain rules under the Hatch Act, a law that restricts the partisan political activity of federal employees.
Specifically, the Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the Hatch Act, rescinded a May 2024 advisory opinion put out under former Special Counsel Hamption Dellinger. After a legal battle, the president ultimately removed him in March.
One of the changes would allow federal employees to once again wear campaign paraphernalia as long as the items are not in support of an individual who is actively running for office. Dellinger had reversed a policy under which government workers could wear campaign items in the workplace after Election Day, opting instead for a year-round prohibition.
