Ivanka Trump-Kushner and Jared Kushner both officially got offices in the West Wing of the White House. Ivanka got an office and is considered an “un-paid” employee. Jared is in charge of a vague office touting business innovation. First impressions may lead people with an interest in good governance, whether they are progressive, moderate or conservative, to applaud these moves. It puts Ivanka and Jared into official positions where they have some accountability. Ivanka has even said that she will abide by government ethics rules.
Ethical considerations should not be weighed too heavily. This is a White House that, in word and deed, has asserted that the President is not bound by ethics rules or even the law. Ethics is just a word some people use.
I believe there is a more important, far-reaching strategy at work in making Ivanka and Jared employees of the White House. When Ivanka and Jared are called to testify before Congress concerning Trump’s political and business connections to Russia the White House can now invoke Executive Privilege. Ultimately Congress could compel Ivanka and Jared to respond to a Congressional subpoena, but the cover of Executive Privilege gives an additional potent weapon to Trump’s many Republican collaborators. Even if the are finally forced to testify under oath, they can delay and drag out the process for a very long time.
Someone at the White House is a strategist and is planning several moves ahead. Though it benefits him, it is not Donald Trump. He is not that clever by half. This bears the marks of Reince Prebius and Steve Bannon. Get ready for the legal challenges to Executive Privilege.
Submitted by Michael Pfeifer, WCD Member