The current administration has undergone some questioning regarding the subject of nepotism. Apparently, the placing of family members in unpaid positions of authority is being found to be acceptable.
As the linked article cited above states, “The [DC federal] court’s [1993] ruling [when Bill Clinton appointed First Lady Hillary Clinton as the chair of the president’s Task Force on National Health Care Reform] was that the White House and Executive Office of the President were not agencies under federal anti-nepotism law. Multiple law experts contacted by ABC News believe this made way for the incoming president to potentially have leeway to appoint relatives to advisory positions in the White House.
“Due to the 1993 ruling, legal experts say Trump's wiggle room would be if he does not pay Kushner a salary, and appoints him to an advisory board that doesn't fall under a specific government agency.
“'I think it clearly violates the intent of the law,’ said University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, who served as a Chief White House Ethics Lawyer from 2005-2007. ‘But there are arguments that could be used to try and wiggle around it if you were making an appointment in the White House.’”
What comes to mind is the matter of value. Merriam-Webster offers a number of definitions of value, the first being: “a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged”.
How can holding these unpaid positions be considered in the light of actual or potential value? Why would Jared and Ivanka Kushner be willing to spend significant amounts of time when they do not receive monetary compensation? Could it be that they perceive the political mileage that such positions could afford, in terms of visibility and cultivation of important contacts? It is my belief that they do recognize the value of their efforts, with political aspirations firmly in mind.
Money is of little consequence to them. It should be noted that the Kushner family net worth has been reported to be $1.8 billion. And Ivanka on her own is worth $300 million. And, of course, they would have the same shadowy backer that was so critical to the election of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
The current president fully expects to serve two full terms, barring any possible outcome of investigations underway. Will 2024 (or sooner) see the coronation of President Kushner and First Lady Ivanka?
D. Norman
As the linked article cited above states, “The [DC federal] court’s [1993] ruling [when Bill Clinton appointed First Lady Hillary Clinton as the chair of the president’s Task Force on National Health Care Reform] was that the White House and Executive Office of the President were not agencies under federal anti-nepotism law. Multiple law experts contacted by ABC News believe this made way for the incoming president to potentially have leeway to appoint relatives to advisory positions in the White House.
“Due to the 1993 ruling, legal experts say Trump's wiggle room would be if he does not pay Kushner a salary, and appoints him to an advisory board that doesn't fall under a specific government agency.
“'I think it clearly violates the intent of the law,’ said University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, who served as a Chief White House Ethics Lawyer from 2005-2007. ‘But there are arguments that could be used to try and wiggle around it if you were making an appointment in the White House.’”
What comes to mind is the matter of value. Merriam-Webster offers a number of definitions of value, the first being: “a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged”.
How can holding these unpaid positions be considered in the light of actual or potential value? Why would Jared and Ivanka Kushner be willing to spend significant amounts of time when they do not receive monetary compensation? Could it be that they perceive the political mileage that such positions could afford, in terms of visibility and cultivation of important contacts? It is my belief that they do recognize the value of their efforts, with political aspirations firmly in mind.
Money is of little consequence to them. It should be noted that the Kushner family net worth has been reported to be $1.8 billion. And Ivanka on her own is worth $300 million. And, of course, they would have the same shadowy backer that was so critical to the election of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
The current president fully expects to serve two full terms, barring any possible outcome of investigations underway. Will 2024 (or sooner) see the coronation of President Kushner and First Lady Ivanka?
D. Norman
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