Office of Government Ethics

OGE Independent agenciesAt-will removal

At a glance

Type

Independent agencies

Removal of leadership

Removable at will

Appointed by

Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate

Structure

Single Director

Term

5-year term

Funding

Annual appropriations

Independence

Direct presidential control

Statute (5 U.S.C. 13121) sets a 5-year term but contains no for-cause removal protection; the Director serves at the President's pleasure. On Feb. 10, 2025, President Trump removed Senate-confirmed Director David Huitema without stated cause partway through his term, confirming at-will removability. CRS and ethics-oversight commentators have noted the absence of for-cause protection and proposed adding it.

What it does

The Office of Government Ethics sets and oversees the ethics rules for the federal executive branch, including standards of conduct, financial disclosure, and conflict-of-interest requirements. It supervises the ethics programs of roughly 130 executive branch agencies and the White House, covering about 2.7 million employees. OGE writes regulations and guidance but relies on agencies to apply them; it does not prosecute violations.

EthicsGovernment

How it fits

U.S. ConstitutionEthics in Government Act of 1978 (1978)OGERules & actions

Created by Congress under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-521, title IV, sec. 401, 92 Stat. 1862 (Oct. 26, 1978); recodified at 5 U.S.C. ch. 131, subch. II, secs. 13121-13126 (Pub. L. 117-286, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4196)), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.

Recent actions

Exempting Certain Career Federal Employees From Ethics Reporting RequirementsJuly 23, 2026

Government Ethics Office

Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Legal Expense Fund Information CollectionMay 29, 2026

Government Ethics Office

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 201 Request an Individual's Ethics DocumentsMarch 6, 2026

Government Ethics Office

Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Legal Expense Fund Information CollectionDecember 18, 2025

Government Ethics Office

Updated OGE Senior Executive Service Performance Review BoardOctober 3, 2025

Government Ethics Office

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Proposed Collection; Comment Request for a Modified OGE Form 201 Request an Individual's Ethics DocumentsSeptember 9, 2025

Government Ethics Office

Agency Information Collection Activities; Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request for Qualified Trust Model Certificates and Model Trust DocumentsAugust 8, 2025

Government Ethics Office

Solicitation of Input From Stakeholders Regarding the U.S. Office of Government Ethics Strategic Plan(FY 2026-2030)July 11, 2025

Government Ethics Office

View all actions on the Federal Register