In one of final acts, Trump revokes no-lobbying rule for advisers

Jan. 20 (UPI) -- In one of his final acts as commander in chief, President Donald Trump revoked one of the first orders he signed when he entered the office four years ago, the White House said Wednesday.

During his first week on the job in January 2017, Trump signed the "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees," order. The rule required that his appointees promise not to engage in lobbying activities with respect to their official capacities.

The rule applied to all staffers and lasted for five years after they leave the White House. It included a lifetime ban against lobbying for any foreign government.

Wednesday, Trump revoked the rule, which now allows White House advisers to begin lobbying immediately after they leave government.

"Employees and former employees subject to the commitments in Executive Order 13770 will not be subject to those commitments after noon January 20, 2021," the order states.

Trump signed the order on Tuesday.

Former President Bill Clinton revoked a similar order in the final days of his presidency.

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to sign a number of orders when he takes office on Wednesday to address priorities including COVID-19, the economy, climate change and immigration.

Biden is also expected to order that executive branch appointees sign an ethics pledge, barring them from acting in a personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Justice Department.