LEXINGTON, VA – A woman in favor of private companies exercising their freedom of expression took to Twitter to share her disappointment that a private company exercised their freedom of expression.
Last night I was told by the owner of Red Hen in Lexington, VA to leave because I work for @POTUS and I politely left. Her actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 23, 2018
The owner of the restaurant, Stephanie Wilkinson, told Ms. Sanders that she “has certain standards that I feel it has to uphold, such as honesty, and compassion, and cooperation.”
I guess now Sarah Huckabee Sanders knows she’s not welcome in the hippie liberal stronghold of *checks notes* rural Virginia
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) June 23, 2018
I’d be interested to hear her explanation behind this, or how it’s different than a Colorado baker refusing to make a cake for someone. It’s interesting, but not surprising, that she feels this business doesn’t get to express themselves in a manner similar to the Colorado baker because she was the target of discrimination. She has the power to stop and reflect on things, and the ability to change. She can stop being a lying liar who constantly gets caught in lies.
But the obvious hypocrisy behind Sarah’s outrage isn’t the only problem for her:
Sarah, I know you don’t care even a tiny little bit about the ethics rules, but using your official account for this is a clear violation of 5 CFR 2635.702(a). It’s the same as if an ATF agent pulled out his badge when a restaurant tried to throw him/her out. https://t.co/Fj6OfBAdew
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) June 23, 2018
Oops.
Schaub is a former Director of the Office of Government Ethics, so I think he knows a thing or two about the subject.
Sanders used her official govt account to condemn a private business for personal reasons. Seeks to coerce business by using her office to get public to pressure it. Violates endorsements ban too, which has an obvious corollary for discouraging patronage. Misuse reg covers both.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) June 23, 2018
and
Opening sentences of 5 CFR 2635.702 cover both; 702(a) gives example of coercion; 702(c) gives example of endorsement. Also 2635.101(b)(8) bars preferential treatment, with obvious corollary for singling out. She can lob attacks on her own time but not using her official position
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) June 23, 2018
But this doesn’t seem much different than the president himself clearly breaking ethics rules by attacking a private company:
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
… Or his perpetual endorsement of the Fox Fantasy News channel. So I don’t expect much to happen with this, if anything.