Kellyanne Conway just broke the biggest rule of the White House — taking attention away from President Trump.
Legal experts aren’t buying it.
“Conway’s comments are a particularly egregious example of how the Trump businesses are cashing in on the Trump presidency,” said Think Progress. “They also appear to violate federal ethics law, which prohibits the endorsement of products by federal officials.”
The Washington Post reported: “Attorneys, including Campaign Legal Center general counsel Lawrence Noble, said Conway’s endorsement directly conflicted with OGE rules designed to separate government policy from private business dealings.”
“I don’t see what their defense is,” Noble was quoted a saying. “She did this on television. She was very clear it was advertising. Hopefully at the very least they will acknowledge this is wrong.”
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said later Thursday that Conway has been “counseled on that subject, and that’s it.”
Others noticed the promo for the First Daughter.
“Go Buy Ivanka’s Stuff” Soooo Conway is saying Don’t Buy American? pic.twitter.com/DgQNhME4st
— Joey Zed ???????? (@JoeCanada99) February 9, 2017
Did Kellyanne Conway just break the law in her Fox interview by her ‘endorsement’ of Ivanka Trump products? Here’s the Federal Ethics code. pic.twitter.com/hl8xZcHkQR
— Alt Dept of State (@AltStateDpt) February 9, 2017
Kellyanne Conway telling people to go buy Ivanka’s stuff from the white house. What’s next? pic.twitter.com/PpkBLRPERL
— The Anti-Trump (@IMPL0RABLE) February 9, 2017
Trump: If Hillary wins, the Clinton Foundation must be shut down. It’s a conflict of interest
Conway (in WH press room): Buy Ivanka’s stuff
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) February 9, 2017
Kellyanne Conway finds your failure to purchase Ivanka Trump goods disheartening and demoralizing.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) February 9, 2017