Raskin, Whitesides Seek Probe of 2 Trump Ads as Midterms Near in 5 Weeks
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 1
Raskin, Whitesides Seek Probe of 2 Trump Ads as Midterms Near in 5 Weeks
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 1
Summary
Two House Democrats asked the GAO and Office of Special Counsel to investigate two TV ads aired since Sept. 23 that praised Donald Trump and carried fine print saying the U.S. government paid for them.
Their letters say the spots may violate four sets of laws, including this year’s ban on taxpayer-funded “publicity or propaganda,” the Anti-Deficiency Act, criminal misuse-of-funds statutes and the Hatch Act for staff involved.
The lawmakers want watchdogs to identify the funding source and total cost, arguing the ads mirror Trump campaign messaging and contain false claims, including crediting him with a manufacturing revival despite job losses in his second term.
The White House has called the ads educational and patriotic, and Trump said he would repay the money if they were improper; some Republicans, including John Thune and Thom Tillis, have also questioned the spending.
The dispute revives scrutiny of administration ad campaigns after Homeland Security spent more than $200 million last year promoting Trump and Kristi Noem’s immigration policies.