LogFAQs > #976240425

red_sox_777 posted...

He's allowed to promote whatever political views or causes he likes. If he was being paid by the Koch network, that's another matter but attending fundraisers?

Are you sure about that?

As a Federal employee I have restricted rights with regard to political speech/activity. Not all the time, but particularly with regard to fundraising and with regard to actions done in my official capacity or while using my job title. Once a year we have to take a refresher course on the Hatch Act as part of our annual refresher training (it's one of about a dozen of yearly reminders we have to endure). This isn't the video we use, but here's a more concise video discussing the Hatch Act:|

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCYVTYDmv0g

Pay particular attention to the bit starting around 1:50
"don't ask for or receive any campaign donations at any time"
"this is very strict and applies 24/7, even when off duty and not in a federal building"

And going onto the scenarios I can't even LIKE a post on facebook relating to a fundraising event because it displays my preference for all to see.

Now simply attending a fundraiser without calling attention to it is probably safe, but if your attendance is an important part of the fundraiser and if people are paying specifically because you're allowing those raising funds to display that they have access to you? Then i think that goes back to something that would be off-limits.

Now my job technically falls into the Executive branch, and Clarence Thomas is part of the Judicial branch, so the Hatch Act itself does not apply, but that's just another example of people being held to unfairly different standards.