PBS Obtains Revised DOJ Hatch Act Memo That Exempts Senate-Confirmed Appointees, Including Blanche, From "Further Restricted" Rules; Blanche Has Spoken at GOP Events

PBS News reported on Oct 9, 2026 (publication date) that the Justice Department’s latest internal Hatch Act memo, obtained by PBS, is making it easier for Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Senate-confirmed DOJ appointees to participate in political activities. By PBS’s account, the memo adds a line exempting presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed officials from the “further restricted” rules, and it allows those employees to address political gatherings and endorse or oppose candidates. A DOJ spokesperson told PBS the update “clarifies, rather than changes, Hatch Act rules.”

PBS quoted the earlier guidance from Bondi’s tenure, which said previous attorneys general encouraged officials to “avoid making public appearances in any state shortly before a primary or general election.” PBS reported that the new language says such appearances “warrant heightened scrutiny — especially when close to an election.”

The Associated Press reported on Sep 18, 2026 (publication date) that Blanche “took the stage this week at an event for a Republican Senate candidate in North Carolina days after speaking at a GOP midterm convention.” DOJ spokesperson Kiersten Pels said “His appearances are reviewed and cleared by the Department’s ethics officials.” Blanche told the AP he would “always say yes to speak when the president of the United States asks me to.”