Senate Democrats are calling for an investigation into President Trump and his adviser Elon Musk's Tesla Pitch this week, claiming this week that a media event promoting Musk-owned automakers is violating federal ethics laws.
Democrat Senators Adam Schiff (California), Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts), Corey Booker (NJ), Richard Blumental (Connecticut) I wrote it in a joint letter He believes that “Musk will work with President Trump to promote the car company using his official role and the White House public resources.”
“The ethics law on misuse of government positions serves practical purposes,” they wrote in a letter Thursday, questioning the use of time and resources to promote Musk's business interests. “The enforcement of these laws is of paramount importance.”
The Federal Ethics Act prohibits White House employees from using government roles to support or promote private companies. However, regulations do not apply to the president.
Musk serves as a special government employee under Trump's direction, which protects him from some ethical requirements, but the senator said he considers Tesla's promotion from a prominent federal role a violation.
Standing alongside Musk in front of five Tesla EVs, including one of the company's identifiable cybertrucks, in a driveway in the White House on Tuesday, Trump announced he was cutting down his personal checks to get his own Tesla.
“No. 1, I'm going to buy it because it's a great product, Trump told reporters. [Elon Musk] I have dedicated his energy and his life to doing this, and I think he has been unfairly treated. ”
Musk then showed off some of the car's features as he and Trump looked over the vehicle.
“All of these cars have won several awards,” Musk said. “They're great cars and they're made of Americans.”
Observers are soon I compared the event In Car show or Unpaid ads For the business of masks.
“President Trump helped promote him. While holding a note explaining the price
The various Tesla products feature, the president is not driving, but he is
The senator wrote.
“President Trump has made a personal decision to buy Tesla at market rates,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields told Hill when asked about the senator's ethical concerns.
The OGE did not immediately respond to Hill's request for comment.
Trump urged his supporters to buy Tesla vehicles. The Tesla vehicle urged it to be purchased as a show of support for tech monarchs who are facing backlash for his role in the administration's cleaning costs reduction measures, including mass firing of federal workers, shutting down foreign aid programs and holding federal funds.
The president said he wanted to “issued a statement” by purchasing Tesla, and that he came to mind that he labeled people who commit violence as domestic terrorists at the automaker's showroom.
The previous Trump administration faced similar accusations regarding staff promoting private businesses. About the rules.
During Trump's first term, top advisor Kellyanne Conway faced ethical complaints to promote Ivanka Trump's clothing line as she faced backlash against her role in her father's first administration.
“I'm going to give you a free commercial here. Go buy it for everyone today,” Conway said during his 2017 appearance on Fox News. “You can find it online.”
Walter Schaub, head of OEG at the time, recommended that Conway face disciplinary action against product promotion, but White House I was pushed back Recommended for watchdog. Shaub announced his early retirement from the Bureau of Ethics a few weeks later.
“I don't know what their intentions are. Shob said in an interview with CBS News after he left office.
Senate Democrats recommended Oge in a letter Thursday that he “recommends an ethical investigation to determine whether Musk violated federal ethics laws and whether additional cases are justified.”
