Investigate Federal Resources Used in Trump Campaign Ads

Congress must investigate whether federal workers' time or federal funds were used in any part of producing the TV ads currently running that promote President Trump. Taxpayer money and government staff are not campaign resources. If any federal resources touched these ads, Trump's campaign coffers are full and must reimburse the federal government for every dollar spent on his propaganda. Beyond the ads themselves, professional credentialed journalists in the White House press corps must be defended, regardless of what viewpoint their outlet represents. Freedom of the press is fundamental. Gutting press access because coverage is unflattering is exactly the kind of authoritarian move this body exists to check. Using the machinery of government to produce political propaganda is an abuse of power, and allowing it to go uninvestigated sets a precedent that will outlast any single administration.

First sent on September 25 by Karla