Federal Rules Restrict Hiring Convicted Felons
Conversation with The Union: Part 1
Unbiased legal experts often point out that nothing in the Constitution prevents the former one-term president from running for office. Its benign restrictions for becoming President only mention age and being born in the U.S.A. But one thing you never hear about is the federal government’s own strict rules about hiring convicted felons. That’s because, unfortunately, they do not apply to those duly elected by the American people.
We came across this government link that lays out the significant hurdles over which every other convicted felon must vault. The following list details the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s primary considerations for an ex-convict in search of federal employment. While the former President escapes this level of scrutiny, it’s still worth considering the hoops unelected felons must jump through in order to get a federal job:
Character traits and conduct.
Potential conflicts between the criminal conduct and the core job duties.
Potential conflicts between employment and interests of national security.
The nature, seriousness, and circumstance of the criminal activity.
How long it's been since the criminal activity.
Rehabilitation or efforts toward rehabilitation.
If you are surprised by how much these basic requirements mirror voters’ concerns with the GOP candidate, know that we are too. That’s why two of us volunteering with The Union are launching this conversation with YOU to address this, as well as other issues pertaining to the crucial upcoming election. Longstanding national security expert Carlton Tolsdorf Jr. and I, retired journalist and consumer advocate Barbara Holzer, are hosting these posts in a Q&A format designed to encourage your participation by responding with your own ideas and sharing this news with your circle of contacts.
Are you in? We sure hope so! Carlton, why don’t I start us off with this burning question:
Q: If every other ex-convict has to meet this threshold in order to get an ordinary civil servant’s job, doesn’t it seem somewhat incongruous that elected politicians who have so much sway are not held to this standard?
A: YES! If Trump had to face the same situation, answers would unquestionably reveal that he isn’t fit to be President, or hold any other government office. If we consider another federal perspective found in “Standards of Ethics for Government Employees,” key qualities sought in a potential hire are truth, integrity and dedication to serving others. We are all firsthand witnesses to the ex-president’s lack of each of these characteristics.
Q: You’ve said Trump is “a walking, talking national security threat.” Please elaborate.
A: From the start of Trump’s administration, he’s been reckless with the nation’s top secrets. He openly shared highly classified details of “code-word programs” with Russian officials he entertained in the Oval Office. This put the lives of sources at risk while providing Putin with more information than we share with our own allies. Speaking of Putin, Trump not only lauded him to the world by saying he believed the brutal Russian dictator over his own Intel community. He then spurned protocol by not allowing an official notetaker in the room when he and Putin met privately. Let’s also keep in mind how the ex-president’s grand heist of countless boxes of classified material from the White House earned him a fourth indictment.
Q: I’m reminded how Trump spoke at his 2017 inauguration: “This American carnage stops right here and right now.” It was later widely reported that former President George W. Bush standing nearby said, “This is some crazy s—t”. No kidding. We need leaders who care about us and our basic kitchen-table issues like job opportunities and access to health care, not a cycle of fear and loathing, promised revenge or obliteration of our government as we know it (see MAGA’s Project 2025). How can we inspire voters, undecided or otherwise, to face the facts that an election is not about fandom or getting even?
A: The best inspiration we can offer voters of all stripes is the unvarnished truth. We ask only that people listen, compare, and reflect on the serious impact this election will have on us for years to come. We are taught from an early age to respect our leaders and cherish democracy, but that lesson is hard to apply in chaotic times when democracy itself is under threat and a would-be leader is a convicted criminal with diabolical plans.
To help you evaluate what Americans must reckon with, The Lincoln Project has boiled it down for you in this ninety second video. We urge you to watch What Will You Tell Your Kids and share it with those you care about.
The Union has more crucial Q&As to share. Hopefully readers like you will join the conversation and respond to our posts by adding your own opinions or concerns.
Post submitted by Barbara Holzer, a volunteer with The Union
Next Conversation:
Democracies Evolve, Autocracies Devolve
Note: The views and opinions expressed by volunteer contributors are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Union, a single-issue organization that welcomes all and is dedicated to protecting democracy.
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As a former govt employee, the lack of ethic rules, security clearances, etc regarding elected officials,the Supreme Court, and other justices, etc is disturbing, disgusting and dismaying. This must change!!
Except now that Trump’s sentencing is delayed, “if ever”, I fear he will never be held accountable even through this election cycle. Very solid analysis here. Thank you! Vote for Biden/Harris.