Kellyanne Conway accused of violating federal ethics law with 'Go buy Ivanka Trump's stuff' comment
'Go buy Ivanka's stuff,' Kellyanne Conway advised
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of Donald Trump's most senior advisers "violated" federal law when she endorsed his daughter's product line on live TV, according to two former senior US government officials.
"Go buy Ivanka's stuff, is what I would say," Kellyanne Conway told interviewers on the Fox & Friends TV program. "It's a wonderful line."
Her comments followed an angry tweet from the US President about the decision by Nordstrom, a chain of department stores, to drop Ms Trump's products.
Ms Conway appeared to be standing inside the White House press briefing room as she made her remarks, which were immediately picked up on by Chris Lu, the former US Deputy Secretary of Labour.
Highlighting a section of statute in a screenshot, Mr Lu said: "This is the federal ethics law that @KellyannePolls just violated". He tagged Congressman Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the Congress oversight committee.
Norm Eisen, who served as Special Counsel for Ethics and Government Reform in the White House, before going on to become the US ambassador to the Czech Republic, agreed.
Quoting Mr Lu, he said: "Exactly right!"
Both men served under President Obama.
The law, 5 CFR 2635.702, which Mr Lu cited, states: "An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity".
Ms Conway twice praised Ms Trump as a "very successful businesswoman" but said: "Obviously she's stepped away from it now".
Later in the segment, she said: "Go buy Ivanka's stuff, is what I would say. It's a wonderful line, I own some of it. I'm going to give a free commercial here, go buy it today."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments