Donald Trump is utilizing the presidential seal at a fourth golf course to assist improve his enterprise in what could possibly be a violation of the legislation, Forbes is reporting.
An Instagram submit not too long ago featured a photograph of the seal, with the official round, blue-and-silver design, getting used as a tee marker on the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The Instagram caption reads: “45th President 45 yards from hole on 18.”
It’s against the law to use the presidential seal in a manner that would convey the impression of presidency approval or sponsorship of a non-public enterprise. Violations can lead to jail sentences of as much as six months. The seals can solely be used for official authorities enterprise.
The course is the fourth Trump property to use the seal in doable violation of the legislation, based on Forbes. Presidential seals have additionally been used at his courses in the Bronx, New Jersey and in Jupiter, Florida.
A 2018 podcast produced by ProPublica and WNYC reported “dozens” of the markers similar to those seen recently getting used at Trump programs. At the time, the Trump Organization blamed the markers on tremendous followers, and rapidly removed them when the story emerged.
“The plaques were presented to the club by a small group of members, who are incredible fans of the president, in honor of President’s Day weekend. They were temporary and have since been removed,” mentioned a press release from the Trump Organization.
But the podcast had obtained an order kind for the markers, itemizing them as being bought by “Trump International.”
The legislation regarding use of the presidential seal is an “expression of the idea that the government and government authority should not be used for private purpose,” Kathleen Clark, a legislation professor at Washington University specializing in authorities and authorized ethics, informed ProPublica on the time. “It would be a misuse of government authority.”
Trump has used his workplace in a number of methods to reinforce his non-public companies.
Lobbyists, lawmakers and international nations usually booked rooms and hosted lavish events whereas he was president at his Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., reportedly to curry favor with him.
He has additionally charged the Secret Service at the very least $2 million to remain in rooms and eat meals at his properties. And he has gone out of his solution to journey to his international golf programs with a big entourage — at taxpayer expense — to focus on the properties in worldwide information tales.
The Trump Organization couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
