Because our rules are so tough, they occasionally yield unintended consequences. We attempt to take a common-sense approach to those situations, as we did this week in authorizing the National Security Advisor, General James Jones, to give very brief remarks introducing President Clinton at an Atlantic Council event. The Atlantic Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity that promotes American leadership and engagement in international affairs. General Jones had served as the uncompensated, volunteer Board Chair of the group over a year ago. Because the remarks were public, and because General Jones had long ago resigned, we concluded that the Ethics Pledge was not intended to prevent the short speech and we allowed it. As always, we are posting the waiver here in the interests of transparency.
Norm Eisen is Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform