Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump campaigns in Colorado. Evan Vucci/AP
Trump Takes a Page from Bill Clinton on Making Feds More Ethical
GOP nominee's plan would revive five-year Clinton-era ban on all executive branch officials lobbying the government after they leave service.
In a speech Monday, the Republican presidential nominee proposed bringing back a five-year post-government lobbying ban on all executive branch employees in place for most of the Bill Clinton administration.
“I am going to re-institute a five-year ban on all executive branch officials lobbying the government for five years after they leave government service,” Trump said. “I am going to ask Congress to pass this ban into law so that it cannot be lifted by executive order.”
Clinton instituted a similar rule by executive order, as well as a lifetime ban on lobbying on behalf of foreign governments, but lifted it in his final weeks in office.
Without specifying who exactly would fall into the category, Trump also said “senior executive branch officials” would face a lifetime ban on lobbying on behalf of foreign governments. Trump also promised his administration would “close all the loopholes that former government officials use” to conduct lobbying activities while not technically having to register as a lobbyist.
It could be wise for federal employees to take note of the potential new rules: If Trump is elected, a lot of them may soon find themselves looking for new work.
The Office of Government Ethics recently issued new rules for feds looking for a new job.