Can You Be Vocally Political as a Bigfed Attorney? Forum

[Anonymous User]

My friends who are clerks cannot make political statements. Is that also the case for bigfed attorneys?

[Anonymous User]

Usually no - you can't do political activity while at work, using work resources, in your official capacity, that kind of thing, but you can be politically active. You can't actually run for office yourself, but otherwise as long as you do it on your own time, not at work, and don't use your work to influence anything, you're good. Some agencies do have stricter limitations - usually (IIRC) the distinction is between partisan and non-partisan activity. You can work on a non-partisan political issue like voting rights or zoning, but you can't work to support a partisan candidate/organization. (Anon b/c I am a bigfed attorney.)

[Anonymous User]

Usually no - you can't do political activity while at work, using work resources, in your official capacity, that kind of thing, but you can be politically active. You can't actually run for office yourself, but otherwise as long as you do it on your own time, not at work, and don't use your work to influence anything, you're good. Some agencies do have stricter limitations - usually (IIRC) the distinction is between partisan and non-partisan activity. You can work on a non-partisan political issue like voting rights or zoning, but you can't work to support a partisan candidate/organization. (Anon b/c I am a bigfed attorney.)

Great information. I was asking about stuff off the clock; I’d hope at work things should remain apolitical. What about donations? I imagine those are OK even if partisan? Local elections are a thing I care about, even if I can’t wear a shirt or go to a rally.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, to my understanding that’s fine.

[Anonymous User]

Federal employees cannot make any kind of speech or engage in any activity that violates the Hatch Act.

[Anonymous User]

Federal employees cannot make any kind of speech or engage in any activity that violates the Hatch Act.

Yup. I’m the anon attorney above, donating to local races doesn’t violate the Hatch Act.

[Anonymous User]

The Hatch Act will be your guide, but know that if your office is engaged in investigating political players or office holders (depending on your agency/department) and you take on a role in opposition to them, you might end up in the news.

In circumstances that are unusual but permissible, a federal prosecutor who works for the office that wiretapped George Norcross’ phones is among a group of progressive activists challenging the Camden County Democratic machine in the June 4 primary election.