Press Releases
Watchdog Renews Call for IG Investigation As Trump Brazenly Attaches Political Letter to Stimulus Checks
SEE: CNN: People receiving stimulus checks get letter signed by President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this month, in response to reports that the CARE Act’s stimulus checks may be delayed because President Trump insisted that his be name added to them, government watchdog group Accountable.US called on the inspector general of the Internal Revenue Service to launch an investigation into the potential misusing taxpayer dollars for Trump’s own political gain.
CNN is now reporting that stimulus checks will include a letter on IRS letterhead from the President expressing how “fully committed” he is “to ensuring that you and your family have the support you need to get through this time.” Accountable.US renewed its calls on the IG to mount an investigation as the issue can not be ignored any longer.
In response, Accountable.US released the following statement on behalf of its president, Kyle Herrig:
“President Trump is treating government aid like he’s promoting one of his businesses. No elected official should be able to use these public resources for private or political gain. This type of potential electioneering is unprecedented and should be thoroughly investigated by the Inspector General.”
KEY POINTS FROM THE CNN STORY:
(CNN) If you’re getting money from the federal government as part of the recent stimulus response to the coronavirus, you’ll also get a letter from President Donald Trump explaining why.
CNN has obtained a copy of the letter signed by the President and sent to recipients of the stimulus payments.
The one-page letter arrives in an envelope from the IRS as part of the Treasury Department, with both postage and fees paid for by the IRS, according to a notice on the envelope.
The letter reads, in part, “We are fully committed to ensuring that you and your family have the support you need to get through this time,” and notifies the recipient exactly how much they would receive and how. On the other side of the letter is a translated Spanish version of the same text.
CNN has spoken with recipients in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland who have received the letters.
[…]
A controversy erupted once it was known that the physical checks sent out with the stimulus payments included a note on the bottom left with Trump’s name on it. Democrats criticized that inclusion. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNN’s “State of the Union” last week it was his idea to put the name on the check.
Regarding who decided the method of notice would be a letter from the President, the White House did not provide a comment. The Treasury Department did not immediately return a request for a comment.
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