1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

President Trump's decision to rescind ethics rules preventing gifts to executive branch employees is deeply concerning. These rules were put in place to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain public trust in government institutions. Without such safeguards, there is a heightened risk of undue influence and corruption through valuable gifts given to public officials. This represents a significant step backwards in efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government. It is now imperative that Congress acts swiftly to reinstate and formalize robust ethics requirements through legislation. A statutory ethics framework with clear prohibitions on gifts to federal employees from lobbyists and special interests would help insulate the government from potential improper conduct. Such legislation should include strong enforcement mechanisms and penalties for violations to ensure its effectiveness. Maintaining high ethical standards for public servants is essential for upholding faith in our democratic system of government. I urge you to prioritize this issue and put forth legislation that will decisively combat corruption and restore vital ethics guardrails. The American people deserve to know that their elected leaders are working in the public's interest, not beholden to wealthy gift-givers seeking preferential treatment. Please act now to address this critical lapse in governmental ethics oversight.