Lawmakers call for action on ‘plainly illegal’ taxpayer-funded ads to promote Trump
House Democrats say officials may have illegally misused public funds to pay for president’s ‘narcissistic ego trips’
TL;DR
- Democrats Jamie Raskin and George Whitesides are asking the GAO and OSC to investigate taxpayer-funded ads promoting President Trump.
- They allege the ads are "desperate pre-election propaganda" and "narcissistic ego trips" paid for illegally.
- The lawmakers believe the ads may violate multiple laws, including those barring funds for propaganda and prohibiting misuse of public money.
- They argue the ads are political and similar to Trump's campaign materials, despite the White House calling them "educational and unapologetically patriotic".
- Some Republicans have also expressed concerns, though the FCC chair deemed the ads appropriate.
- This follows scrutiny of other administration advertising spending, including a Department of Homeland Security campaign promoting immigration policies.