Did Trump Violate The Hatch Act By Asking Supporters To Donate During The State Of The Union?
By Thom Hartmann A...
I got this email a couple of days ago from Trump headquarters after I got off the air, it was 4:10 p.m. Pacific time: "Fred," (because I'm registered as Fred Flintstone with the Trump campaign)...
"Fred, you still have time to get your name displayed during the president's State of the Union address. All he asks is that you make a contribution to show your dedication to our movement.
Tonight's speech isn't about the president, it's about bringing the silent majority back into the national spotlight. Tonight is for you.
Please make a contribution to have your name displayed during the president's first State of the Union.
The president is eternally grateful for the sacrifices you've made to keep our movement alive and strong.
Now he wants the world to see the names of every American citizen who has fought the good fight to save our country.
Now step into the spotlight as president Trump honors the the forgotten American citizens.
Please make a contribution now to have your name displayed during the president's State of the Union address tonight.
Thanks.
Trump headquarters."
Turns out it was Paul Ryan who authorized this. The Speaker of the House controls the feed of the State of the Union and Paul Ryan authorized the Trump campaign to raise money off federal activity.
Public Citizen has now filed a complaint. They are asking the House of Representatives ethics committee and the Office of Congressional Ethics (the OCE) to investigate whether speaker Paul Ryan violated House Rules by letting the Trump campaign do this.
It's against the rules. It's quite simple.
And frankly I believe that the selling of the presidency is a violation of the Hatch Act.
Comments
#2
Legal or not...
It was as "cheesy" and un-professional as it could ever get. WTF... The State of the Union Telethon!
This is the shit you get...
When you elect nothing more than a f@#kn reality TV star!!
#3
My question: how can trump or any other government official do their work in our benefit if they have so much extracurricular activities? If you can not complete your daily task as government official, you should be impeached.
#4
Door Knob: The truth regarding the new IRS tax guidelines...... companies will try to implement the new tables this month...."was next month, yesterday" !
The problem is calculations are very complicated and appear to be setting up underpayments that give out phantom windfall amounts. Thus many taxpayers will end up unexpectedly owing when they file in 2019.
What do you expect from a used car salesman like Crooked Donny my Russian friend?
#5
Paul Ryan and his family benefited from Social Security payments after his father died. So of all people, it's especially hypocritical of him to support the Trump crime family in this anti-american third world manner. There's something extremely unbalanced about Paul Ryan. His budget plans reflect a person filled with hate for his fellow citizens. His issues go well beyond love for Fascists like the Kochs and Fascist wannabees like Trump.
#6
We the people
We must be represented
Is this concept rocket science!?!?!
#7
Hatch Act, he probably thinks they got rid of the Hatch act by gutting the FDA. Let chickens hatch the way they want to.
As for the State of the Unium speech (m for Money?), the only thing missing was a Rumpt University commercial with on stage miracle healings followed by the poignant vp leading us into reverent evangelical prayer.
#8
Gsaw - Extracurricular: They create "problems" then they get "credit" for fixing the. Why do they stick their noses in other countries while 80% of ours is in critical condition? The "were doing fine" bologna is not sitting well with people who are aware of what's going on. Sure people are buying cars, houses, and gadgets. But it's only the small percentage you see on the surface that are purchasing stuff. People with no money never come out of their dwellings. You don't see them if they are starving, unemployed, or just don't have enough money to come out.
#9
@#4 roadrunner
It may be difficult for you to interpret the rules but real people are not having a problem.
"Workers are starting to see more take-home pay as employers implement the new withholding guidelines from the IRS, which dictate how much employers withhold from pay for federal taxes. Those whose checks have remained the same shouldn’t fret — employers have until Feb. 15 to make the changes."
#10
Don't they have lawyers to consult with to make sure of what they are doing is legal? oh wait that's right they fired them all.
#11
It is interesting listening to Thom trip over his dick trying to discredit the Nunes memo. He will need a lot more than a weekend to come up with a list of excuses.
#12
In the game of chess this is Check, Checkmate is coming soon.
Perfect Timing!! SOME HILLARY EMAILS RELEASED
#13
I can’t help believe all the agents and all the little people in the FBI and DOJ want to see some heads roll from main headquarters. Comey and McCabe………and other Expensive Suites have given the Bureau a bad name. Not really, just the UPPITIES……the Swamp, those that have played a major role in the Clinton Cartel. American’s know your agent in the regional offices across the U.S. work their tails off and do a great job. But something happens while in D.C. Its too easy to become part of the Swamp corruption. Trump messed up the Left’s agenda, Hillary’s entitled placement in the White House; and it sent everyone in a frenzy panic…………….what will Trump find out on all of us if he is elected? Hell Hillary knew it, she even said “If that bastard wins we’ll all hang”.
Feeling the rope yet Hillary?
#14
Another sad day in the History of the United States where the scum from the top of the swamp put forth a non sworn statement that is nothing but an edited opinion from a slightly disturbed man to defend another very disturbed man to obtain an end. One of which will happen to fully discredit our inteligence system due to the lack of intelligence of the American electorate (which we have already witnessed) with the help of FUX news, or it can become a pivitol moment when the electorate awakens as a first step in saving the ship before it sinks---------------good thoughts! but, not going to happen.
--------Keep Up the Great Work Thom!!!
#15
Trump didn't write the e mails and Trump didn't say “If that bastard wins we’ll all hang”.
The one time she told the truth.
and we haven't seen whats on Weiner's lap top yet, but " what difference does it make"??
None if you don't want to know the truth.
#16
@#15 HotCoffee,
Never say weiner's and laptop in the same sentence.
#17
So what's your point Reynolds...simply that you believe Door Knob the same way you eat up foxaganda everyday? You didn't respond to my statement about the poiticized tables! .....nobody watching the hen house right now and you know it.
You still admit to being a supporter of the Kochpublican Party after all that has unfolded this past year.....my god.
BTW: nice compliment you gave to Thom's manhood!
#18
Diane,
OOPS....my bad!
I went outside...The sky hasn't fallen....life seems to still be going on.
I wonder if the Dems have noticed?
#19
@#18
NYC is not under water and AL Gore's Internet is still running. Who woulda thunk?
#20
wrap it up reynolds
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There's a name for folks who will perform any act, no matter how perverse or dirty, for money, as well as those willing to pay for those acts. What have the Republicans become, thanks to the Citizens United SCOTUS decision. Hopefully, the newly elected Democratic Congress will legislate the dark money out of Federal (and state?) elections for once and for all. It's up to us to make it happen in November!