White House Pleads Ignorance on Agency Gag Orders

Government Executive: The White House said it was unaware of various “gag orders” that have reportedly been instituted at agencies across government, though a spokesman added it is standard procedure for new administrations to review policies.

The issue first came to light when the Environmental Protection Agency issued a memorandum to its employees instructing them to freeze contracts and grants. It subsequently, in an email obtained by Government Executive, instructed employees not to discuss the issue and said the agency would no longer issue press releases, post blogs, review external speaking engagements and webinars, and would block any new information from being posted on its website.

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