WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to a request for public input, Democracy Defenders Fund submitted a comment today on the U.S. Office of Government Ethics’ (OGE) Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030. OGE oversees the ethics rules in the executive branch, sets the standards for what public service should look like, and enforces the public financial disclosure regime. OGE’s strategic plan sets out the goals and objectives for the ethics office over the next four years—vital years that coincide with the current Administration.

DDF’s comment emphasizes that OGE must take a more aggressive role in protecting the ethics community, investigating violations of the ethics laws, and establishing safeguards against Presidential abuse. DDF highlighted that OGE must:

• Ensure its independence from undue political interference and ensure consistent, even-handed administration of the ethics laws

• Advocate for the ethics community, including speaking out against improper removal of ethics officials like the former Director of the Department of Justice’s ethics office

• Commit to performing a review of the ethics offices of the White House Office and Office of the Vice President

• Reinstate regulations that would require high-level White House officials to disclose ethics agreements they have made with the Administration and publish those agreements

• Remove exceptions to the gift rules that allow the President and Vice President to accept nearly limitless gifts

Absent these changes, the core mission of OGE—to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of executive branch employees—will suffer. DDF looks forward to working with OGE to continue to refine its strategic plan.

Read the full letter HERE

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.