ProPublica has uncovered what appears to be an unethical—and likely—illegal act performed by an employee of the president’s privately held golf course empire.
A ProPublica ‘Trump, Inc.’ podcast listener pointed them to Eagle Sign and Design, a Midwestern-based sign making company, after a client of theirs ordered dozens of metal renditions of the seal of the president.
That law is 18 U.S. Code § 713, and not only does it apply to the seal of the president or vice president, it also applies to seals of the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Similar laws apply to the FBI, Secret Service, DEA, U.S. Marshals, etc.
It’s not clear whether the employee who ordered the presidential seal signs for the tee boxes can be shown to have “reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof.” That is for a court to decide. But we should absolutely throw the book at him or her.
As ProPublica observes:
At the time, White House spokesman Trent Duffy told the New York Times: “you can’t pick and choose where you want to enforce the rules surrounding the use of official government insignia, whether it’s for humor or fraud.”
I agree with Mr. Duffy, which is why I hope this law-and-order focused administration will throw the books at anyone violating this law. Golf-club employees, sure. But especially the street vendors on 15th and 17th streets in Northwest Washington. On my drive into the office this morning, I spotted at least two dozen potential violations at just a couple of shops. Presidential seals, FBI shirts, and the like. (But none for Congress! Low popularity will do that to you…) If each of the agencies in question could get their legal teams humming (jobs for lawyers!), we can probably put away these criminals for at least a few years.
Now I know what you’re thinking: Would it be wise for this administration to spend lots of time, effort, and resources to target a small-business community made up mostly of immigrants? While it hasn’t stopped them before, the answer here is yes. And there’s also recent precedent for targeting lawbreakers on federal park lands.
Putting the street vendors out of business would free up the portion of 15th street between E and Constitution, adjacent to the ellipse, that should be a continuation of the bike lane.
See for yourself:
The benefits are clear: The #Resistance sees a Trump employee indicted, rule of law is restored, respect for our symbols is made great again, and D.C. cyclists get another block of real estate. Let’s make this happen.
