The White House should investigate Kellyanne Conway for her statements on Fox News last week recommending people go out and buy Ivanka Trump’s fashion line, an Office of Government Ethics official wrote Monday.
In a letter released by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Walter Shaub, director of the office, wrote that Conway’s comments on the show should be investigated thoroughly. While White House press secretary Sean Spicer has said Conway was counseled for giving a “free commercial” telling people to “go buy Ivanka’s stuff,” the ethics office hasn’t seen evidence of any reprimand.
Shaub wrote Conway was appearing in her official capacity and used the appearance on Fox News “as an opportunity to market Ms. Trump’s products.”
The statements “would establish a clear violation of the prohibition against misuse of position,” Shaub wrote. “I note that OGE’s regulation on misuse of position offers as an example the hypothetical case of a presidential appointee appearing in a television commercial to promote a product. Ms. Conway’s actions track that example almost exactly.”
“Therefore, I recommend that the White House investigate Ms. Conway’s actions and consider taking disciplinary action against her,” he said.
Conway appeared on Fox and Friends Thursday and was asked about President Trump’s angry tweets at Nordstrom for pulling Ivanka Trump’s clothes due to poor sales.
In the course of that interview, Conway echoed Trump’s statements that Nordstrom was being unfair to his daughter and added that people should buy her clothes.
“Go buy Ivanka’s stuff is what I would tell you … I hate shopping, I’m going to go get some myself today,” Conway said. “This is just a wonderful line. I own some of it. I fully — I’m going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today, everybody. You can find it online.”
That immediately caused an uproar, with even House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz chastising the comments. Chaffetz, who has been loathe to criticize the Trump administration and its ties to the Trump Organization, requested the Office of Government Ethics to look into Conway’s statement and report back to the committee.
The ethics office is authorized to recommend disciplinary action against executive branch employees who violate ethics laws, Shaub wrote.
“There is strong reason to believe that Ms. Conway has violated the Standards of Conduct and that disciplinary action is warranted,” he wrote.
Shaub said the White House must turn over the results of its investigation to the ethics office by Feb. 28, along with any disciplinary or corrective action taken toward Conway.
