Partnership for Public Service Statement on President Trump using taxpayer–funds for political campaign ads

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier in response to the White House airing taxpayer-funded ads promoting President Trump:

“Public money should be used to serve the public, not a president or political campaign. For more than 70 years, Congress has restricted the use of taxpayer dollars for publicity and propaganda. These restrictions apply to individuals of any political party. Yet this administration is spending the public’s money on television ads to promote one man. This raises major questions about a violation of federal law weeks before an election.”

“Our government belongs to the American people, not to any individual president, party or political campaign. Federal employees are bound by these ethical restrictions every day. Those who run the government should be held to the same standard.”

“These ads are not public service announcements, which are designed to serve or inform the public. Trust in government is already low. Our own research has shown that 27% of Americans trust the federal government and 72% say it is corrupt. When taxpayer-funded communications look like campaign ads, the American people have less reason to believe the next warning about a storm or an outbreak.”

“Laws are only as strong as their enforcement and Congress has an oversight role no matter which party holds the majority. Congress, the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Special Counsel should demand answers about who authorized these ads, who paid for them and why. Public trust depends on knowing that the government is working for them, not promoting the people in power.”

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy.

Over the past 25 years and across five presidential administrations, we have offered government agencies and leaders crucial training and insights to better serve the public, championed legislation for effective government and shined a spotlight on the achievements of the federal workforce.

Now, building on our decades of experience, we engage the public about the value of government and how its erosion harms us all and advance reforms that seek to make our federal institutions more effective, responsive and accountable to the American people. We also strengthen leadership in federal, state and local government, help federal workers navigate an increasingly complex federal environment and provide former public servants with opportunities to shape efforts to transform government.

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