Last updated on January 8th, 2017 at 04:40 pm
On Tuesday, 3rd January 2017, the newly elected president Donald Trump boycotted the Republican Party’s decision to gut Independent Ethics Watchdog. He criticized the Congressional Republicans priorities – maybe not much of a surprise as Trump has been continuously criticizing his own party for the last two years.
Office of Congressional Ethics is an independent watchdog aimed at contemplating into the alleged matters against the US Congress members. Although some of the renowned Democrats and Republicans including Paul Ryan opposed the decision, the other representatives voted to strip watchdog’s independence. The 119-74 vote was a reflection of the frustration among the politicians, who feel threatened by OCE’s presence.
Donald Trump’s disapproval on the stance of the Republicans was clear on his twitter post. He wrote: With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it.
With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
With the next four minutes, Trump was quick to put up another tweet that read “…….may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS”
……..may be, their number one act and priority. Focus on tax reform, healthcare and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
Initial reaction of the Trump Transition Team
As the congressional leadership announced its stand, the Trump Transition Team’s initial reaction was unusually mild. The Republican campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said, “I don’t want people to feel like ethics is gone. I mean there are many ways for constituents particularly, to make their voices and their concerns heard.” However, Trump expressed an explicit dissatisfaction on the decision.
Reaction from Democrat side
A California-based Democrat reacted by saying, “Republicans claim they want to ‘drain the swamp,’ but the night before the new Congress gets sworn in, the House GOP has eliminated the only independent ethics oversight of their actions. Evidently, ethics are the first casualty of the new Republican Congress.”
It seems Trump is being backed up well on this latest tweet.
