Lawmakers Accuse Trump of Breaking Federal Law

Members from both branches of Congress are accusing the Trump administration of violating federal law due to issuing gag orders restricting the communications of federal agencies and employees.

Numerous Members of Congress have accused the Trump administration of being in violation of multiple federal laws due to its recent efforts to restrict federal agencies’ communications.

Two letters were sent on the matter.

One was written by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) to White House Counsel Donald McGahn.

The Congressmen stated in the letter that the Trump administration appeared to be in violation of numerous federal laws, among which include the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act as well as a 1912 law which protects the right of federal employees to communicate with Congress. The latter law states that the rights of employees to petition a Member of Congress “may not be interfered with or denied.”

y the Trump administration EPA agency staff which banned EPA employees from sharing press releases, blog updates or posts to EPA’s social media accounts.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said this week in response to questions about whether the Trump administration was issuing directives to limit agency communications that “Nothing has come from the White House. They [federal agencies] haven’t been directed by us to do anything. From what I understand, they have been told within their agencies to adhere to their own policies, but that directive did not come from here [the White House].”

Do you believe that the Trump administration violated federal law? Share your opinion in the comments below.

About the Author

Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.