Rights Groups Accuse Ivanka Trump of Violating Ethics Rules

By Staff, Agencies

Government watchdogs countered that US President Donald Trump’s daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka, doesn’t have the right to violate ethics rules that bar government officials from using their public office to endorse specific products or groups.

These groups contend Ivanka’s action also highlights broader concerns about how the president and those around him often blur the line between politics and governing. The White House would be responsible for disciplining Ivanka Trump for any ethics violation but chose not to in a similar case involving White House counselor Kellyanne Conway in 2017.

The White House defended Ivanka Trump tweeting a photo of herself holding up a can of Goya beans to buck up a Hispanic-owned business that she says has been unfairly treated, arguing she had “every right” to publicly express her support.

Goya became the target of a consumer boycott after CEO Robert Unanue praised Donald Trump at a Hispanic event at the White House on Thursday last week.

Trump tweeted the next day about his “love” for Goya, and his daughter followed up late Tuesday by tweeting a photo of herself holding a can of Goya black beans with a caption that read, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good,” in English and Spanish.

Almost immediately, government watchdogs and social media commentators accused her of violating ethics rules – an issue that was not addressed in a White House statement that blamed the media and the culture of boycotting certain views.

“Only the media and the cancel culture movement would criticize Ivanka for showing her personal support for a company that has been unfairly mocked, boycotted and ridiculed for supporting this administration – one that has consistently fought for and delivered for the Hispanic community,” White House spokesperson Carolina Hurley said.

“Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in the US and has every right to express her personal support.”

Ivanka Trump sent the tweet from a personal Twitter account that does double duty chronicling her work on various White House initiatives.

Trump himself appeared to back up his daughter on Wednesday by posting a photo on his Instagram account showing him in the Oval Office in front of various Goya products arrayed on his desk. As president, Trump is exempt from many of the rules that federal workers must follow.