How are US departmental policies enforceable?
<p>I don't understand: what's the point in all those numerous policies issued by departments for their staff if, as I understand it, they are not enforceable? There is no legal punishment for not sticking to them, and inspectors general — or anyone else besides the president — are not free to fire all those who don't. For example, in 2016, the State Department's Inspector General <a href="https://www.stateoig.gov/system/files/esp-16-03.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">issued</a> a report where he admitted that some of its former employees, including Hillary Clinton, did not follow its policies in terms of storing and securing federal records, such as work-related emails. No punishment followed because those policies are not the law, and, even it was found out earlier, no Inspector General would have the authority to dismiss Mrs. Clinton, it's POTUS's prerogative, as I understand it. So all those policies are just unenforceable recommendations, aren't they? What's the point then?</p>

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  <p>No punishment followed because those policies are not the law, and, even it was found out earlier, no Inspector General would have the authority to dismiss Mrs. Cliton, it's POTUS's prerogative, as I understand it.</p>
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<p>That is true for maybe 10 people <em>max</em> in a government department. For the tens or hundreds of thousands of employees who <em>weren't</em> appointed by the President to serve at their pleasure, violating policies can lead to suspension, fines, or dismissal.</p>

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