Key Takeaways
- US watchdog group Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint over cash gifts to White House staff.
- The gifts amounted to 30% of each aide’s $150,000 annual salary, totaling $45,000 each.
- A former White House ethics official suggests Trump may have committed serious ethical violations.
US President Donald Trump is facing growing scrutiny over cash gifts he gave to three White House aides, including his close personal aide Natalie Harp, according to a former White House ethics official.
The gifts, totaling $45,000 each, amounted to 30% of each aide’s $150,000 annual salary, raising concerns about potential ethical violations.
A nonpartisan watchdog group, the Campaign Legal Center, has filed a complaint with the US Office of Government Ethics, calling for an investigation into the matter.
The group argues that an investigation is 'clearly warranted' and suggests that Trump may have committed 'serious' ethical violations.
Natalie Harp, a close personal aide to the President, was among those who received the cash gifts, highlighting the personal nature of the payments.
The Campaign Legal Center’s complaint highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the White House, especially given the high-profile nature of the recipients.
A former White House ethics official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the payments were 'profoundly concerning' and 'seriously problematic'.
The Office of Government Ethics has yet to respond to the complaint, but the matter is expected to draw significant attention from both political parties and the public.
While the White House has not commented on the specific allegations, it has previously defended the practice, stating that the payments were intended to support the personal and professional development of the staff.
