White House senior adviser and daughter of President Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, is receiving backlash for her controversial decision to endorse Goya Foods, and now, two senators are seeking an investigation into whether she violated federal ethics rules.
Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) penned a letter to the Office of Government Ethics requesting answers to a list of questions including what disciplinary actions can be taken against Ivanka Trump.
The letter opens with the senators explaining what Ivanka Trump’s tweet consisted of.
On July 14, Ivanka Trump posted a photo of herself posing with one of the brand’s products, as IJR previously reported.
She added the company’s slogan in both English and Spanish, “If it’s Goya, it has to be good. Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno.”
If it’s Goya, it has to be good.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 15, 2020
Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno. pic.twitter.com/9tjVrfmo9z
Carper and Warren pointed out the rule enforced by the Office of Government Ethics against misuse of a position held in public office.
“An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity… and persons with whom the employee has or seeks employment or business relations,” the rule reads.
The senators noted Ivanka Trump’s tweet comes just five days after Goya CEO Robert Unanue offered praise to the president for his leadership. Goya saw a boycott following his remarks.
“The timing of her remarks creates the appearance, at least, that praise for Trump Administration officials may elicit later endorsements from these same officials,” the senators wrote.
The letter went on to acknowledge the president’s photo of himself with Goya products at his desk.
See the photo below:
Carper and Warren requested an answer to their questions by August 10.