Trump Faces Growing Scrutiny Over ‘Profoundly Concerning’ Cash Gifts for Aides Including Natalie Harp
The payments amounted to 30% of each aides’ $150,000 annual salary
TL;DR
- Donald Trump reportedly gave cash gifts of $45,000 each to three officials, including close aide Natalie Harp.
- A watchdog group, Campaign Legal Center, has filed a complaint with the US Office of Government Ethics, calling for an investigation.
- Former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen suggests the payments may violate federal conflict of interest statute 18 USC 209, which prohibits supplementing salaries.
- The aides reported the payments as “cash gift for holiday”, amounting to 30% of their $150,000 annual salaries.
- Ethics specialists have called the payments “legal but totally unethical”, expressing concerns about government employees' loyalties.
- Walt Nauta, director of Oval Office operations, also reported a $20,000 gift from Trump.
- The White House has denied the payments represent a breach of ethical codes.