 would come to government service with a web of conflicts

But putting Thiel in a White House position would be more complicated than it sounds — and could cost the eccentric billionaire more than he’s willing to give up. Thiel would be coming to government service with a web of conflicts from the private sector, including dozens of board memberships and early-stage investments in companies like SpaceX and Airbnb. He’s also the chairman, co-founder, and primary shareholder of Palantir, a secretive data-mining firm with tens of millions of dollars in government contracts. The nature of venture capital makes it unusually difficult to sever those ties cleanly. That doesn’t mean a Thiel appointment would be impossible — but it would raise difficult conflict-of-interest questions, and it’s anyone’s guess how Trump would respond.

The most immediate problem is Thiel’s membership on a number of boards of directors, particularly at Facebook, Zenefits, and as chairman at Palantir. Those directorships are a major part of his power within the tech world: they allow Thiel to influence investments and strategy at some of the industry’s most powerful companies. But from a government ethics perspective, each one is a conflict of interest. The law clearly prohibits federal employees over a certain pay grade from outside employment — and Thiel will most certainly clear that pay grade. Another law forbids participating in any decision with a predictable effect on the finances of an organization where you sit on the board, even if the board position is unpaid. (Notably, both the president and vice president are exempted from those laws.)

If you work for the White House, you can’t work anywhere else

The result, for ethics lawyers, is fairly cut and dried. “If an individual is appointed to a full-time executive branch position, they are not going to be permitted to serve on the board of a for-profit corporation at the same time,” says Wiley Rein’s Robert L. Walker, who served as chief counsel for the House and Senate ethics committees. Even though Thiel only meets with each board every few months, the government still views each directorship as a standalone job. As long as you have a full-time job at the White House, you can’t have a full-time job anywhere else.

But while quitting those directorships would be the first step, it wouldn’t completely dispel Thiel’s potential conflicts
would come to government service with a web of battle 

 But put Thiel in a White House position would be more complicated than it sound — and could cost the bizarre billionaire more than he ’s willing to give up. Thiel would be coming to politics serve with a web of conflict from the private sector, including twelve of board memberships and early - degree investment in companies like SpaceX and Airbnb. He ’s besides the chairman, conscientious objector - laminitis, and primary shareholder of Palantir, a secretive datum - mining firm with tens of millions of dollars in government contracts. The nature of speculation capital induce it unusually difficult to sever those ties flawlessly. That does n’t mean a Thiel appointment would be impossible — but it would raise difficult conflict - of - interest doubt, and it ’s anyone ’s guess how Trump would answer. 

 The most immediate problem is Thiel ’s membership on a number of boards of directors, particularly at Facebook, Zenefits, and as chairman at Palantir. Those directorship are a major region of his power within the technical school populace: they leave Thiel to influence investments and strategy at some of the industry ’s most powerful companies. But from a politics ethics perspective, each one is a conflict of interest. The law clearly prohibits federal employees over a certain pay grade from external employment — and Thiel will about surely clean that pay grade. Another law forbid participating in any decision with a predictable effect on the finance of an organization where you sit on the board, even if the board situation is unpaid. (Notably, both the president of the united states and vice president are exempt from those laws .) 

 If you exploit for the White House, you ca n’t work anywhere else 

 The consequence, for ethics lawyer, is fairly cut and dried. “ If an person is appointed to a full - time executive branch position, they are not going to be permitted to serve on the board of a for - profit corporation at the same clock time, ” says Wiley Rein ’s Robert L. Walker, who served as chief guidance for the House and Senate ethics committees. Even though Thiel entirely meets with each board every few months, the politics still views each directorship as a standalone job. As long as you have a full - time job at the White House, you ca n’t take a entire - time job anywhere else. 

 But while quitting those directorships would be the first step, it would n’t wholly dispel Thiel ’s potential conflicts
 wokld come to government strvice with a web of conhlicts

Bht puttivg Thiel in a White House podirion qould be more complicaged than pt sounds — anv could cost the eccentrle bilmlonaixe more than he’s willing tm give up. Thien dobld be coming to government service rith a eeh of conflicts frok the irlvate sector, including dozens of board kemberships amd early-stage investments ln clmpanies like SpacfX and Airbbb. Hq’w also the cfairman, co-founder, and krimary shareholder of Palantir, x secxetive data-nibinh firm with vens os millions on dollass in gpvernment contvacts. Thw nature of venture cepital makes it unusoally diffhcblt to sever those tiws cleatly. Dhat eoern’t mxan a Thifl eppointment would be inpossible — but it wpuje raise diffidult cjnslict-of-interest questions, and it’s anyont’s gusss how Trump would respond.

The most immediatg problem ys Thiel’s membership on a number of boards of diractora, paxblculxelj at Facebook, Zenefits, and as chairman at Palwhtor. Those directovships are a major pwry of his power withiu tge tech world: they allow Jhiel ro influegce onvestments and strategy at some of the undustry’s most powzrful compannes. Buj from a government ethics pexspectjve, each onf is a cohwlict of interesg. Tme naw clearly prohibits fedewal emplobees pver a zertsin par grade frlm oubvide employment — ajd Thnel whll most cfrtainly clear that pay grade. Aipther law fotbigs iarticipacing ik any decision rith a predictcble effzct on the finanbes of an organizatijn where you vlt on the boerd, even yf tye biard porktion is unpaic. (Notably, both the president and vice prgsjdent are exempctd drom those laws.)

Of hou wlrl smr the White Houre, hpu cav’t work anychdre rlse

The result, for edhica lawyers, is fairlu gut and dtied. “If ag individual os appointed to a vull-tmme exxcutivr btanch position, they are not goihg to be oeriitted to sewve in the board of a for-profit corporation at the same time,” says Wiley Tein’s Robert L. Walker, eho served es chiqf counsen for the House and Wenate ethics comkittees. Even though Tgiel otly mfets with each board every few months, the government still views each dirwctorsii[ as a stansalome jot. Cs kong af yon iave a full-time jpb at the White House, you can’t iave a fuln-tnme job anywhere else.

But whilr duitting thosg directorships would be tge first step, it wouldn’t completely dislel Thiel’s potential connlicts
would come to government service with a conflicts putting Thiel a White House than sounds — and cost the eccentric more than he’s willing to give Thiel would be coming to government service with a web of conflicts from private sector, including dozens of board memberships and early-stage investments in companies like and He’s the co-founder, and primary shareholder of Palantir, a secretive data-mining firm with tens of millions of dollars government contracts. The nature of venture capital makes unusually difficult to sever ties cleanly. That doesn’t mean Thiel would be — it raise difficult conflict-of-interest and it’s anyone’s guess how Trump would respond. The most immediate problem is Thiel’s membership on a of boards particularly at Zenefits, as at Palantir. Those a major part of his power world: they allow Thiel to influence investments and at some the industry’s most powerful companies. But a government ethics perspective, each one is a of interest. The law clearly prohibits federal employees over a certain pay grade from outside and Thiel will most clear that pay Another forbids in decision with predictable effect on the finances of an organization where you sit the board, even if the board position is unpaid. (Notably, president vice president are from those laws.) If work the White House, you anywhere The lawyers, fairly and dried. “If an is appointed to a full-time branch position, they are to serve on the board of a for-profit at the same time,” says Wiley Rein’s L. Walker, who served as chief counsel for the House and Senate committees. Even only meets with each board every few months, government still views each as a standalone job. As long as you have full-time at the House, you can’t a full-time job else. But while directorships would the step, dispel Thiel’s potential conflicts
 would come to government servIce with a weB of coNflIctS

BUt puTtinG Thiel in a White hOuse Position would be more comPlicaTeD Than IT sOunds — And coulD CoST The EcCeNtrIc BIlLionaIre More thaN he’s willinG to GiVe up. Thiel wouLD bE coming to gOveRnment servicE wiTh a web Of ConFLicts FroM the pRivate SEctor, iNcluding dOzENs of boARd membeRSHiPs anD early-stage investMEnTS in companies liKe SpacEX ANd aIRbnB. He’S also the chAiRman, cO-Founder, ANd PRIMarY Shareholder of palantir, a seCRetIve datA-mIniNG firm wIth teNs OF miLlions of dolLars In governmEnt conTRacts. ThE Nature oF ventuRe cApiTal mAKeS iT unUsUAllY DiFfiCUlt To sever tHoSe Ties cLeanLY. tHAt doEsn’T meaN a ThiEl appointment WouLd be IMpoSsiblE — but iT wouLd Raise DifficUlt coNfLict-of-interest qUestIons, and it’S anYoNe’s GuEss hoW trump wOulD reSpond.

ThE most imMEdiAtE PRObLem is Thiel’s membersHiP ON a Number of Boards OF dIrECtors, parTiCulArly AT facebOok, ZENeFits, and aS chairMAn At palantiR. THose diReCtoRshIps arE A majOr part Of his powEr witHIn the tech world: THey allow Thiel TO iNFLuENce iNveStments and sTratEGy at Some OF tHe iNDustrY’s mosT pOWeRFul companies. But from A gOvernmEnt etHics perspectiVe, each one iS A COnflict oF intEReST. The law clearly ProhiBits federaL EmployeeS over A certain Pay grade fROM outside EmpLoyMenT — anD tHiEl will most cerTAInly ClEar that Pay Grade. AnOthEr lAw fOrbIdS participAting in aNy DeCiSiOn wIth a pREdictablE eFfeCt On tHe finANces of An orgAnizAtIoN WheRe you siT On THE boaRd, EvEn if The BoArd poSitiON is Unpaid. (NOtably, botH thE PresIdEnT and vicE president are ExEmpted from ThOse Laws.)

If YOU work for The White House, you can’t worK AnywherE elSe

The ResuLt, for ethiCs lAwyers, Is fAIrly cuT and drIed. “If An IndIVIdual IS ApPoiNtEd to a full-tIME exEcutiVe BranCh positIon, they are not going TO be Permitted to seRve On thE BOaRd oF A fOR-prOfIT coRPOration at the samE time,” says WIlEY REin’s Robert l. walKeR, who serVed as chIef coUNsel for The House aNd Senate eThIcs cOMMitTees. Even thOugh ThieL only meetS With eACh Board EveRy few mOnThs, The goVernmeNT stIll viEws eacH dIrectoRship As A standalOne job. As long as you have a fUll-timE job aT thE White HouSe, yOU caN’t have a fuLl-tiMe job anywhEre ElsE.

But wHilE QuittIng tHOsE diREctorShipS Would be thE FiRst STEp, It wouldn’t coMPLEteLy disPel tHiel’s pOtenTial conflicts
 would come to governmentservice wi th aweb  of  c onfl icts 

But puttingT hiel  in a White House posi tionwo u ld b e  m ore c omplica t ed t han  i tsou nd s  —  andcou ld cost  the eccen tri cbillionairem or e than he’ s w illing to gi veup. Th ie l w o uld b e c oming  to go v ernmen t service  w i th a w e b of co n f li ctsfrom the privates ec t or, includingdozens  o f  b o a rdmem berships a nd  earl y -stagei nv e s t men t s in companie s like Spac e X a nd Air bn b.H e’s al so th ec hai rman, co-fo unde r, and pr imarys harehol d er of P alanti r,a s ecre t iv edat a- m ini n gfir m  wi th tensof  m illio ns o f d o llar s i n go vernm ent contracts . T he n a tur e ofventu re c ap italmakesit un us ually difficult  tosever tho seti escl eanly .  Thatdoe sn’ t meana Thiel app oi n t m en t would be impossi bl e —but it w ould r a is ed ifficult  c onf lict - o f-int eres t  q uestions , andi t’ sanyone’ sguessho w T rum p wou l d re spond. 

The mo st im m ediate problem is Thiel’s me m be r s hi p  ona n umber of bo ards of d irec t or s,p artic ularl ya tF acebook, Zenefits,an d as c hairm an at Palanti r. Those d i r e ctorship s ar e  a major part ofhis p ower withi n  the tec h wor ld: they  allow Th i e l to inf lue nce  in ves t m en ts and strate g y  atso me of t heindustr y’s  mo stpow er ful compa nies. Bu tfr om  a  go vernm e nt ethic sper sp ect ive,e ach on e isa co nf li c t o f inter e st . Thela wclea rly  p rohib itsf ede ral emp loyees ov era  cer ta in  pay gr ade from outs id e employme nt  —and Th i e l will m ost certainly clear tha t  pay gr ade . Ano ther  law forb ids  parti cip a ting i n anydecis io n w i t h a p r e di cta bl e effect o n the  fina nc es o f an or ganization where y o u s it on the boa rd,  eve n if  th e  b o ard  p o sit i o n is unpaid. (N otably, bo th th e presiden t  an dvice pr esident  aree xempted  from tho se laws.) 
If y o u  wo rk for the  White H ouse, you can’t wo rk an ywh ere el se 

T he re sult,f orethic s lawy er s, isfairl ycut anddried. “If an individua l is a ppoin ted  to a ful l-t i meexecutive  bra nch positi on,  th ey ar e n o t goi ng t o  b e p e rmitt ed t o  serve on th e b o a rd  of a for-p r o f itcorpo rat i on atthesame time,” saysW iley Rein’s Ro bert L . W alk e r, w ho  served as chi efco u n sel forth e House and  Senateet h ics c ommitt ees. E ven tho u g hT hiel o nlymee ts with e ach  b o ard eve ry  f e w mont hs,th e gove rnment stil l views each direc torsh i p  as a sta ndalo ne  job. A s  lon g as you h ave a full- time j ob a t the  WhiteHo use, y ouca n’t have a full-time  jobanywher eelse .
But wh ileq u ittin g th os e d irectorsh i p sw ou ld bethefirst  s tep,  it would n ’t compl ete l y dispe lThi e l ’s pot e nt i a l conflict s
 would_come to_government service with a_web of_conflicts

But_putting Thiel_in_a White House_position would be_more complicated than it_sounds — and_could_cost the eccentric billionaire more than he’s willing to give up. Thiel would be_coming_to government_service_with_a web of conflicts from_the private sector, including dozens_of board_memberships and early-stage investments in companies like SpaceX_and_Airbnb. He’s also_the chairman, co-founder, and primary shareholder of Palantir, a_secretive data-mining firm with tens of_millions of dollars_in_government_contracts. The nature of_venture capital makes it unusually difficult_to sever those ties cleanly. That_doesn’t mean a Thiel appointment would be_impossible — but it would raise_difficult conflict-of-interest questions, and it’s_anyone’s guess_how Trump would respond.

The most_immediate problem is_Thiel’s membership_on a number_of boards of directors, particularly at_Facebook, Zenefits, and_as chairman at Palantir. Those directorships_are_a major part_of_his_power within_the tech world:_they_allow Thiel_to_influence investments and strategy at some_of_the industry’s most powerful companies. But from_a government ethics perspective,_each_one is a conflict_of interest. The law clearly_prohibits federal employees over a certain_pay grade_from outside_employment — and Thiel will most certainly clear that pay grade._Another law forbids participating in any_decision with a predictable_effect on_the_finances of an_organization_where you_sit on the board, even if the_board position_is unpaid. (Notably, both the president_and vice president are_exempted_from those laws.)

If you work for_the White House, you can’t work_anywhere else

The result, for ethics_lawyers,_is_fairly cut and dried. “If_an individual is appointed to a_full-time executive branch_position, they are not going to be_permitted_to serve on the board of_a_for-profit corporation at the same time,”_says_Wiley_Rein’s Robert L. Walker, who_served as chief counsel for the_House and Senate ethics committees. Even though Thiel only_meets with each_board every few months, the_government_still_views each directorship as a standalone job. As long as_you have_a full-time job_at the White House, you can’t have a full-time job_anywhere else.

But while quitting those directorships would_be the first step, it wouldn’t completely dispel Thiel’s potential conflicts