On January 20, 2017, one of the first actions taken by newly inaugurated President Donald Trump was to sign an executive order that has sparked controversy and confusion. The order, titled “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees,” essentially bars the attorney general and the Department of Justice from enforcing a particular law for 120 days while a divestiture plan is executed.
This executive order has caused a stir among both supporters and opponents of the new administration. Some see it as a necessary step to ensure that the government is free from conflicts of interest, while others view it as an attack on the rule of law. However, before jumping to conclusions, it is important to understand the reasoning behind this decision.
The law in question is the Ethics in Government Act, which was passed in 1978. This law requires certain executive branch appointees to disclose their financial holdings and divest any assets that may pose a conflict of interest. The purpose of this law is to ensure that government officials are not making decisions that could benefit themselves or their businesses.
President Trump’s executive order essentially puts a hold on the enforcement of this law for 120 days, while a divestiture plan is put into place. This means that the attorney general and the Department of Justice will not be able to take any legal action against appointees who may be in violation of the Ethics in Government Act during this time period.
The reason for this move, according to the White House, is to give appointees enough time to complete the divestiture process. This process can be a lengthy and complicated one, especially for individuals with extensive financial holdings. It involves evaluating and selling off assets that could potentially pose a conflict of interest, and this cannot be done overnight.
Some critics have raised concerns that this executive order will give appointees a free pass to violate the law, but this is not the case. The order clearly states that the attorney general and the Department of Justice must still enforce the law, but only after the 120-day period has ended and the divestiture plan has been executed.
Furthermore, this executive order is not unprecedented. In fact, President Obama signed a similar order in 2009, which also gave appointees a temporary reprieve from the Ethics in Government Act. This was done to allow his nominees enough time to complete the divestiture process.
It is also worth noting that President Trump has taken additional steps to ensure that his administration is free from conflicts of interest. He has handed over control of his business empire to his sons and has also created a trust to manage his assets. These measures show a commitment to upholding ethical standards and avoiding any potential conflicts.
In conclusion, while some may view President Trump’s executive order as controversial, it is a necessary step to ensure that the government is functioning smoothly. The 120-day hold on enforcing the Ethics in Government Act will give appointees enough time to complete the divestiture process and avoid any potential conflicts of interest. This decision should be seen as a positive move towards upholding ethical standards in the executive branch, rather than an attack on the rule of law.
