Dem Senators Ask Ethics Office For Clarity On Ivanka Trump’s WH Role
Two Democratic senators are asking the Office of Government Ethics to confirm that Ivanka Trump will comply with federal ethics rules as an adviser in her father’s White House.
“Ms. Trump’s increasing, albeit unspecified, White House role, her potential conflicts of interest, and her commitment to voluntarily comply with relevant ethics and conflicts of interest laws have resulted in substantial confusion,” Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Carper (D-DE) wrote Wednesday in a letter to OGE Director Walter Shaub.
The President’s eldest daughter will reportedly serve as Trump’s “eyes and ears” in the West Wing, where she will have an office but receive no salary or official title. The President has also reportedly requested a security clearance for her.
Though Ivanka Trump has already sat in on White House meetings with foreign leaders and lawmakers, despite retaining ownership of Ivanka Trump Marks LLC, her retail clothing and accessories brand.
As Trump’s unofficial position makes her unbound by ethics rules that apply to other executive branch staffers, she has offered to voluntarily comply with them.
Warren and Carper say that’s not enough of an assurance.
They asked OGE to “determine which ethics rules apply to Ms. Trump, which disclosures she will be required to make to demonstrate her compliance, and whether her compliance with these rules will be monitored and enforced.”
Ivanka Trump’s brand currently faces a class action unfair competition lawsuit from a California clothing retailer.
Read the letter below: