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Fred Behringer's avatar

Can you explain how the President gets to be exempt from a 1989 law prohibiting federal employees from using their office for private gain?

Brandi M Vail's avatar

Which is pretty insane. Congress can't enforce the ethics code against the President because they're not an agency head.. but they are a whole branch of the government, when they're doing their job. So you'd think there'd be something there.

Fred Behringer's avatar

I think our messages crossed. Yes, didn't realize how inadequate our system is to protect against abuse. Seems some major reforms are needed.

Brandi M Vail's avatar

My understanding is that the law creates ethics rules which are conditions of employment in the executive branch, and relies on agency heads for enforcement. Since the President doesn't report to an agency head, it's not enforceable against them. You can't condition the presidency on the code of ethics because the only way to remove a president is to impeach and convict.

Fred Behringer's avatar

Thanks! It's been eye opening - the loopholes that unscrupulous leaders can take advantage of. Here's another example.