Stop Taxpayer Money From Funding Presidential Self-Promotion

As your constituent, I urge you to stop taxpayer money from being used for advertisements that praise President Trump and promote his accomplishments. Federal money should inform and serve the public - not become a personal advertising fund for any President. Congress decides how taxpayer money may be spent. It should determine whether these advertisements misuse money approved for other purposes, recover any money improperly spent, and prevent this from happening again. TAXPAYERS SHOULD NOT PAY FOR PRESIDENTIAL SELF-PROMOTION Government may properly advertise a public service, such as how to obtain a benefit. These advertisements are different. They prominently feature President Trump, praise his record, and one reportedly closely resembles a Trump 2024 campaign ad. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has long interpreted federal restrictions on “publicity or propaganda” to cover certain purely partisan and self-aggrandizing government communications. The White House calls them public service announcements. Congress should determine whether they cross the legal line. Government advertising may inform the public, but taxpayer money should not simply advertise the President. Americans should never have to wonder whether their tax dollars are informing them or being used to persuade them politically. CONGRESS - NOT THE PRESIDENT - CONTROLS FEDERAL SPENDING Federal money generally must be used for purposes Congress authorized. The Department of Homeland Security is funding this campaign. Congress should determine which appropriations are being used, whether the spending is authorized, and whether funds must be restored. This rule should apply regardless of party. If one President can use federal funds for personal promotion, future Presidents can do the same. CONGRESS SHOULD ACT NOW I urge Congress to: (1) INVESTIGATE EVERY DOLLAR. Direct GAO and appropriate committees to identify each advertisement, its cost, funding source, legal authority, approving officials, and whether federal law was violated. (2) RECOVER IMPROPER SPENDING. Determine what recovery is legally available and require restoration or reimbursement wherever federal law permits. (3) BAN TAXPAYER-FUNDED SELF-PROMOTION. Prohibit federal funds from being used for advertising principally intended to promote the image, political standing, or electoral interests of the President, Vice President, or another federal officeholder. (4) REQUIRE DISCLOSURE AND ENFORCEMENT. Require federal advertisements to identify its sponsoring agency, cost, funding source, and public purpose, and establish clear procedures for recovering money when these restrictions are knowingly violated. Congress should protect taxpayers and its constitutional power over spending. I urge you to investigate these ads, recover any money improperly spent, and ensure no President can use the Treasury for personal or partisan promotion. Thank you.