The breadth of unethical behavior — real or seeming — being carried out by Donald Trump and officials in his administration appears to exceed that of any other in modern American history.
And so it might be difficult for some to keep up with everything that’s going on. In fact, there’s one little-known example that had flown under my radar until just recently.
Last week, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, also known as CREW, filed a complaint urging the Energy Department’s inspector general to investigate a sales catalog featuring Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson, who oversees her agency’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation.
You can see the advertisement for Trice Jewelers — which uses Robertson’s official title — in CREW’s social media post announcing its complaint.
Apropos of nothing, CNBC reported last year that the diamond industry has been hurt by Trump’s tariffs, and industry executives have sought to have their products added to the list of vital minerals excluded from them. It’s hard to not wonder if that’s related to the head of the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation appearing in a diamond jewelry adnd.
In a statement to the outlet Government Executive, an Energy Department spokesperson called the ad “an oversight that has since been addressed,” adding:
The appearance was an unpaid, personal appearance made in her capacity as a private individual, prior to her confirmation. Her title was added by the vendor as a biographical detail, rather than a suggestion of endorsement. Once the error came to the department’s attention, Ms. Robertson asked the vendor to make a correction. Ms. Robertson fully adheres to all ethics requirements and upholds the highest standards of conduct.
Nonetheless, CREW’s complaint urges the Energy Department’s inspector general to determine whether Robertson authorized the use of her title in the catalog; whether she received any sort of compensation for her participation; whether she has ever had any kind of business relationship with Trice Jewelers; and whether she sought ethics advice related to her appearance in the ad.
