Good Governance

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

BLOG: Sliming Lincoln’s Memorial

by Jeff Ruch | May 7, 2020
Interior Secretary Bernhardt ordered the Lincoln Memorial closed so that President Trump could give an interview on the current pandemic ...

BLOG: Trump’s War on Watchdogs

by Jeff Ruch | April 7, 2020
Trump conitnues war on watchdogs in latest firing of Michael Atkinson, the Inspector General for the intelligence community ...

BLOG: Proposed Changes Will Fillet NEPA – PEER Public Comments

by Kevin Bell | March 11, 2020
PEER submitted comments opposing the Commission on Environmental Quality's proposal to undermine the nation’s foundational environmental law, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA ...

Trump’s New Enemies Purge Violates Civil Service Laws

by PEER | March 5, 2020
Post-Impeachment Drive to Root out Disloyal Officials Should Be Enjoined ...

PEERMail: Civil Service Crucible

by Tim Whitehouse | December 2, 2019
The House impeachment hearings showcased our federal civil service as a true national asset. Conscientious, knowledgeable, and highly professional, the witnesses exhibited the best qualities of public service, amidst pointed, sometimes vicious, political pushback. These qualities are not ...

Interior Department International Travel Illegal

by PEER | November 20, 2019
Unauthorized Official Okayed Trips Contrary to Statute ...