(RoyalPatriot.com )- A probe by the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Justice is warranted after incoming White House press secretary Jen Psaki disparaged a rival of her future employment, a watchdog group said Tuesday.
MSNBC reportedly beat CNN in a bidding battle for Psaki’s services, according to reports earlier this month. Contrary to federal law, Psaki continues contacting MSNBC and CNN reporters during broadcast press briefings.
On Thursday’s episode of the left-wing podcast Pod Save America, Psaki called MSNBC’s Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy “a foolish son of a b***h.
The departing press secretary later tweeted she wasn’t criticizing Doocy or any Fox News reporter, but the watchdog organization Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) argued that her claims are dubious and harm was done.
In attempting to acquire a position with a major news agency while serving as White House press secretary, Jen Psaki created a moral minefield, according to PPT Director Michael Chamberlain.
Chamberlain said that her current denigration of Fox News, a rival of her future employment, seems to abuse her public position. In these conditions, it’s impossible to see the American people not seeing a conflict of interest.
PPT stated in a letter to OGE Director Emery Rounds and DOJ Public Integrity Section Chief Corey Amundson that an inquiry into Psaki’s employment talks with MSNBC and CNN was needed. Psaki’s shift to MSNBC presents severe ethical issues.
Former Obama ethics director Walter Shaub said that it troubled him when this occurred in the prior administration, and it disturbs him now.
Now a senior ethics fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, Shaub wants the White House to explain Psaki’s recusal.
Shaub said that he hopes they’re forcing Psaki to recuse any form of activity that directly affects a media outlet’s financial interests.
Americans for Public Trust executive director Caitlin Sutherland also said stories of Psaki joining MSNBC create ethical issues.
Sutherland expressed shock that a sitting press secretary could use her position to negotiate media jobs. A simple news conference might have significant legal and ethical ramifications unless the White House takes stringent, tangible efforts to guarantee Ms. Psaki is fully compliant.
She concurred that this is a major conflict of interest,
