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Apparently what we did to King George in 1776 is now illegal.

senseamp said:
Is it also illegal to say "MAGA" at work, or just "Resist?"
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From the special council documents:

“The employee must be careful to avoid making statements directed towards the success or failure, of among others, a candidate for a partisan political office”

“Now that President Trump is a candidate for re-election...”

So arguably yes but the document does not specifically prevent MAGA while it does specifically call out discussing impeachment or #resist at work or in an official capacity.
 
Paratus said:
Well that’s slightly better.
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There's a grey area in all this that varies by the work area. Bumper stickers on your car? Obviously OK. Posted in your work area? Probably not. Use company computers for blatantly political purposes? not OK. Taking a swipe at a political figure in an email to your wife? Probably OK. On your personal briefcase or backpack? Probably OK. We had several brouhahas about this when I worked for the RTD because we received federal funds. For those of us in the maintenance end of it we could put political stuff on our rollaway toolboxes because they were our toolboxes, not the company's, like my car parked in the lot. Limit discussion in the break room or locker room? Surely you jest.
 
blackangst1 said:
Its also now illegal to deny blacks and women the right to vote. Which was legal in 1776.

So?
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Always the same tactic for the indefensible actions, draw a false equivalence. Then here's one from me: Is America seeking state-sponsored television and punishment of govt criticism because in reality its under a third-world authoritarian regime? hmmm
 
The Hatch Act serves to protect the public through a professional, impartial civil service as much at it serves to protect politicians. If federal employees aren't allowed to use government resources for partisan ends then they also can't be forced to do so. The Republican resurrection of the Holman Rule earlier this year was one move toward a patronage system. Weakening the Hatch Act would be another.
 
Yep, this is the Hatch act.

It works both ways. But its main purpose is to stop federal employees from using their positions to campaign for political campaigns and issues. Which in turn prevents them from being forced to to so.

On the flip side, they also cannot use their positions to campaign AGAINST a political issue, party or person.

I HATE how this is being reported. The SAME day, multiple White House staff were gigged by the Hatch act too for stumping for GOP candidates during the election. And some of the press is trying to treat this as two separate stories.
 
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Amused said:
I HATE how this is being reported. The SAME day, multiple White House staff were gigged by the Hatch act too for stumping for GOP candidates during the election. And some of the press is trying to treat this as two separate stories.
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As much as I enjoy a good beat down on Trump you are spot on and this is a legitimate example on which to cite some media for bias and failure to report the story in context. The 24/7 news cycle is probably the worst thing to happen in journalism along with how the internet is used.
 
Hayabusa Rider said:
As much as I enjoy a good beat down on Trump you are spot on and this is a legitimate example on which to cite some media for bias and failure to report the story in context. The 24/7 news cycle is probably the worst thing to happen in journalism along with how the internet is used.
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Well, thats sad but its mostly the consumers fault. They like their news in small bite-sized chunks so they can get maximum dopamine from an intense story, then move on to the next Big Thing.
Have you noticed we never get follow up information on stories? Once something has cooled off nobody cares anymore. I have no idea whats going on with that dude who ran over 19 people at Charlottesville. News thinks nobody cares (which is mostly true) and they just don't worry about it.
 
Having an ideologue for a boss that's on the opposite side of your political leanings and then openly campaigning for your side at work is like committing occupational suicide.

Let common sense be your guide.
 
Another example of ping pong policy, smells of Orange Boy calling the office that enforces the Hatch Act and complained now they have to roll it back.

More incompetence from this White House. Just like they rolled out the Muslim ban and had to roll that back as well
 
HomerJS said:
Another example of ping pong policy, smells of Orange Boy calling the office that enforces the Hatch Act and complained now they have to roll it back.

More incompetence from this White House. Just like they rolled out the Muslim ban and had to roll that back as well
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No, actually this was an even handed application of the Hatch act. It's being misrepresented by the press.

The same day, this story came out

https://www.washingtonpost.com/poli...85fd44449f5_story.html?utm_term=.0231044a9d56

The announcement came the same day the Office of Special Counsel sought to clarify when federal employees could use words like “impeachment” or “resist” without running afoul of the 1939 Hatch Act — underscoring how political polarization in the Trump era has made the federal bureaucracy an increasingly fraught workplace.​
 
Amused said:
No, actually this was an even handed application of the Hatch act. It's being misrepresented by the press.​
​
The same day, this story came out​
​
​
The announcement came the same day the Office of Special Counsel sought to clarify when federal employees could use words like “impeachment” or “resist” without running afoul of the 1939 Hatch Act — underscoring how political polarization in the Trump era has made the federal bureaucracy an increasingly fraught workplace.​
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If it was even handling of Hatch Act why wasn't MAGA paraphernalia banned?
 
HomerJS said:
If it was even handling of Hatch Act why wasn't MAGA paraphernalia banned?
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It was:

https://osc.gov/Resources/Candidate Trump Hatch Act Guidance 3-5-2018.pdf

March 5, 2018 Updated Guidance Regarding the Hatch Act and President Donald Trump Now That He Is Officially a Candidate for Reelection In February 2017, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) issued guidance regarding the Hatch Act and President Donald Trump’s status as a candidate in the 2020 Presidential election. In that guidance, OSC advised that an incumbent President is considered a “candidate” for purposes of the Hatch Act when he officially announces his candidacy for reelection. OSC also advised that once that happens, like with any other candidate, the Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in activity directed at the success or failure of the President’s candidacy while they are on duty or in the workplace. Last week, President Trump announced the appointment of a campaign manager “for his reelection committee as the advanced planning for the 2020 race begins.”1 Because President Trump now has officially announced his candidacy for reelection, OSC is providing this updated guidance to federal employees.

The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or in a federal room or building.2 For purposes of the Hatch Act, political activity is defined as activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, partisan political group, or candidate for partisan political office. This prohibition is broad and encompasses more than displays or communications (including in-person and via email or social media) that expressly advocate for or against President Trump’s reelection. For example, while on duty or in the workplace, employees may not: wear, display, or distribute items with the slogan “Make America Great Again” or any other materials from President Trump’s 2016 or 2020 campaigns; use hashtags such as #MAGA or #ResistTrump in social media posts or other forums; or display non-official pictures of President Trump.3 For specific questions concerning social media and how it applies to communications about candidates for partisan political office, including the President, please refer to our recently issued social media guidance, which can be found here. Please contact OSC at hatchact@osc.gov or (202) 804-7002 with questions.
 
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