Six political hires at the Interior Department will be able to keep their jobs despite the pending inauguration of Barack Obama, The Washington Post reports.

Barely a week after the election, Solicitor David L. Bernhardt converted the positions of six deputies into career civil service jobs. Included in the group were two political hires whose actions generated controversy among environmentalists.

Bernhardt said he made the change to prevent turnover and improve the effectiveness of the Office of the Solicitor. He said the new administration could always change course if Obama officials don't like what he did.

Get the Story:
Administration Moves to Protect Key Appointees (The Washington Post 11/18)

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