Twitter Users Not Happy Trump Might Give RNC Speech From Gettysburg Or White House
President Donald Trump is apparently considering two locations for his Republican National Convention acceptance speech ― and both choices are problematic.
On Monday, the president tweeted that he is considering accepting the GOP presidential nomination at either the White House or at the historic Civil War battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
We have narrowed the Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, to be delivered on the final night of the Convention (Thursday), to two locations - The Great Battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the White House, Washington, D.C. We will announce the decision soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020
The Associated Press notes that giving the speech at the White House could violate ethics laws such as the Hatch Act by using federal property and federal workers for a partisan purpose.
And although Trump gave a speech at Gettysburg during the 2016 presidential campaign, critics said it’s simply corrupt for a sitting president to accept his nomination at a national park supported with taxpayer dollars.
This is an appalling abuse of power. Even if the RNC reimburses the government for seizing this national park for its private political event, Trump is helping himself to a public resource that remains unavailable to his rival. It's the definition of corruption. https://t.co/FOfn4Vdvly
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) August 10, 2020
Both belong to the American people and are supported and maintained with taxpayer funds. Engaging in campaign activity on federal property is illegal – any staff who take part will violate the Hatch Act.
The symbolism of a criminally corrupt convention should be lost on no one. https://t.co/g7Dc2gkf83— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) August 10, 2020
So it's a choice between illegal or sacrilegious, but corrupt either way? Seems right on brand for @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/zsaxGcRlpc
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) August 10, 2020
Other Twitter users...
