Think tanks in the government have urged US Office of Government Ethics, the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the possibility that former US President Donald Trump may have violated the federal law prohibiting officials of the government from soliciting gift.
The complaint, filed by Public Citizen on Feb. 5, centers on Trump’s promotion of the Official Trump Memecoin (TRUMP) launched last month.
Concerns about ethics
The group’s letter, addressed to John Keller, chief of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and David Huitema, director of the Office of Government Ethics, argues that Trump’s marketing of the meme may constitute unlawful gift solicitation under 18 U.S.C. § 201 and 5 C.F.R. § 2635.
“Federal law strictly regulates payments to government officials, including gifts. Although the president may receive gifts, he may not solicit them.”
Public Citizen claimed that Trump’s promotion of TRUMP following its launch in January constitutes an unlawful solicitation of gifts because it provides no tangible product or investment opportunity in return for the payments received.
The Trump Organization’s affiliate CIC Digital LLC controls the entire Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, according to the website.
The site describes the meme as a celebration of Trump’s resilience following an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, and characterizes the asset as “a piece of history”Investment is not the best way to invest.
However, Public Citizen contends that the memecoin does not constitute a product or service but rather a direct financial benefit to Trump, comparing it to a personal donation rather than a traditional purchase.
As per the complaint
“A person sending money for a Trump Meme is not purchasing a tangible product. Instead, the person receives only a digital receipt, which is similar to a donor sending a check and receiving digital confirmation.”
Foreign influence
The think tank further raised concerns that foreign entities could be among those purchasing the meme, potentially violating the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without congressional approval.
Public Citizen stated that such solicitations, if allowed to go unchecked could set a precedent that politicians will solicit funds by avoiding federal campaign finance and ethics laws.
Crypto analysts and ex-Trump allies criticised the initiative. Anthony Scaramucci compared the initiative to “Idi Amin-level corruption,” while a Washington Post columnist dismissed it as a “sh—coin.”
Public Citizen urged the DOJ and OGE to determine whether Trump’s actions violate federal law and, if so, to recommend appropriate remedies, including halting meme sales and returning funds to buyers.
DOJ and OGE did not respond publicly to the complaints. Trump’s campaign has also not issued a statement regarding the allegations.
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