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Trump's senior aid under fire for publically endorsing Trump daughter's business

Xinhua, February 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kellyanne Conway, a Counselor to U.S. President Donald Trump, came under fierce criticism Thursday for promoting the brand of Ivanka, Trump's daughter, on television.

"Go buy Ivanka's stuff is what I would say, I'm going to give a free commercial here: go buy it today everybody, you can find it online," Conway said while giving an interview to TV network Fox.

The remarks immediately drew questions that they might have violated federal ethics rule that stated government employees "shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relative, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity."

Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said Conway's words were "clearly over the line and unacceptable," and that he and Democrat Congressman Elijah Cummings will jointly request a review of Conway's conduct.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a left-leaning group, also filed a complaint, calling her remarks "an apparent violation of federal law, ethics regulations and other standards of conduct."

In a daily press briefing, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Conway "has been counseled."

The controversy over Conway came only one day after Trump ripped a store chain on twitter for pulling Ivanka's brand off the shelf, tweeting that his daughter was treated unfairly by the store chain.

The store said its decision was made because Ivanka's products were not performing well in sales.

Trump has previously called on his twitter followers to buy an outdoor sportswear brand on Jan.12, because the brands owner supported Trump. Enditem