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The Office of Special Counsel has announced new guidance to crack down on White House violations of the Hatch Act, which prevents federal employees from engaging in political activity. Under the new guidance, disciplinary action is more likely for staffers who violate the statute, and cases will be brought to the Merit Systems Protection Board. This marks a reversal for the OSC, which previously exempted senior staffers from scrutiny. The new rules also broaden the ban on political "swag" in the workplace. The move has been welcomed by watchdog groups, but the White House did not respond to a request for comment.
