Inappropriate: President should respect sanctity of his office

President Donald Trump seems to be having a difficult time understanding the ethics of being the elected leader of a democracy.

This week Trump publicly chastised a private company for discontinuing his daughter Ivanka's clothing line. The fact that the president has no business involving himself in private business dealings now that he is in office seems to have escaped him.

This is not acceptable, and we are disappointed that Trump did not realize that as an elected official it is inappropriate for him to use his power to interfere in private business that involves his family.

That episode was followed by his spokeswoman, Kellyanne Conway, blatantly urging people to buy Ivanka's products. Conway apparently was called down by the White House, but the perception that Trump and his staff are taking advantage of his office to boost his family's private business remains.

The whole mess has tarnished the office of the president and possibly violated the Constitution, which strictly prohibits public officials from behaving in such a manner.

We hope Trump and his aides have learned a lesson here. As we have said before, there is nothing wrong with people making money honestly. But this is not honest.

Published in Editorials on February 10, 2017 9:58 AM