Ethics pledge

Each appointee in each Executive agency appointed on or after January 20, 2025, shall sign, and upon signing shall be contractually committed to, an ethics pledge that states the following: I recognize that this pledge is part of a broader ethics in Government plan designed to restore and maintain public trust in the Federal Government, and I commit myself to conduct consistent with that plan. I commit to decision-making on the merits and exclusively in the public interest, without regard to private gain or personal benefit. I commit to conduct that upholds the independence of law enforcement and precludes improper interference with investigative or prosecutorial decisions of the Department of Justice. I commit to ethical choices of post-Government employment that do not raise the appearance that I have used my Government service for private gain, including by using confidential information acquired and relationships established for the benefit of future clients. Accordingly, as a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a position invested with the public trust, I commit myself to the following obligations, which I understand are binding on me and are enforceable under law: (1) Lobbyist gift ban I will not accept any gift from any registered lobbyist or lobbying organization for the duration of my service as an appointee. (2) Revolving door ban; all appointees entering Government For a period of 2 years beginning on the date of my appointment, I will not participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts. (3) Revolving door ban; lobbyists and registered agents entering Government If, during the 2-year period before the date of my appointment, I was registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), in addition to abiding by the limitations of paragraph (2), I will not, for a period of 2 years beginning on the date of my appointment— (A) participate in any particular matter with respect to which I lobbied, or engaged in any activity that would require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), during the 2-year period before the date of my appointment; (B) participate in the specific issue area involving the particular matter described in subparagraph (A); or (C) seek or accept employment with any Executive agency with respect to which I lobbied, or engaged in any activity that would require registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), during the 2-year period before the date of my appointment. (4) Revolving door ban; appointees leaving Government If, upon my departure from the Government, the post-employment restrictions relating to communicating with employees of my former Executive agency under section 207(c) of title 18, United States Code, and any implementing regulations, apply to me, I agree that I will abide by those restrictions for a period of 2 years beginning on the last date of my appointment. I will abide by those same restrictions with respect to communicating with the Senior White House staff. (5) Revolving door ban; senior and very senior appointees leaving Government If, upon my departure from the Government, the post-employment restrictions under subsections (c) or (d) of section 207 of title 18, United States Code, and any implementing regulations, apply to me, I agree that, in addition to abiding by those restrictions, for a period of 1 year beginning on the last date of my appointment, I will not materially assist any other person in making any communication or appearance that I am prohibited from undertaking myself by— (A) holding myself out as being available to engage in lobbying activities in support of any such communication or appearance; or (B) engaging in any such lobbying activities. (6) Revolving door ban; appointees leaving Government to lobby In addition to abiding by the limitations under paragraph (4), I also agree, upon leaving Government service, not to lobby any covered executive branch official or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service, as described in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code, or engage in any activity on behalf of any foreign government or foreign political party that, if such activity was undertaken on January 20, 2025, would require that I register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), for the remainder of the Administration or the 2-year period beginning on the last date of my appointment, whichever is later. (7) Golden parachute ban I have not accepted and will not accept, including after entering Government service, any salary or other cash payment from my former employer the eligibility for and payment of which is limited to individuals accepting a position in the United States Government. I also have not accepted and will not accept any non-cash benefit from my former employer that is provided in lieu of such a prohibited cash payment. (8) Employment qualification commitment I agree that any hiring or other employment decisions I make will be based on the qualifications, competence, and experience of the candidate. (9) Assent to enforcement I acknowledge that subtitle B of title XXVI of the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which I have read before signing this document, defines certain of the terms applicable to the foregoing obligations and sets forth the methods for enforcing them. I expressly accept the provisions of that subtitle as a part of this agreement and as binding on me. I understand that the terms of this pledge are in addition to any statutory or other legal restrictions applicable to me by virtue of Federal Government service..