Sparks flew after President Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
A fireworks display over the Washington Monument lit up the night sky in red, white, and blue, spelling out “Trump 2020.”
Critics brought up ethical concerns with the National Park Service for aiding in producing a video promoting Trump and approving the RNC’s plans to host the fireworks show.
Watchdogs said the fireworks, as well as Trump’s venue of accepting the nomination from the White House, violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits most federal employees other than the president and vice president from engaging in political activity while on duty.
“Federal appropriations laws make it clear government dollars are meant to be used to serve the American public, not to help political office holders remain in power, and that appears to be what this video and what this event on the Mall is designed to do,” Donald Sherman, deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Hill.
In his acceptance speech, Trump spoke of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, riots occurring across the country, economic opportunity, and the defense of law enforcement.
