Ivanka Trump defends Goya post that watchdogs call unethical

 Ivanka Trump on Wednesday defended tweeting a photo of herself holding up a can of Goya beans to buck up a Hispanic-owned business that she says has been unfairly treated, arguing that she has “every right” to publicly express her support.

Government watchdogs countered that President Donald Trump's daughter and senior viser doesn't have right to violate ethics rules that bar government officials from using ir public office to endorse specific products or groups.

se groups contend Ivanka Trump's action also highlights broer concerns about how president and those around him often blur line between politics and governing. White House would be responsible for disciplining Ivanka Trump for any ethics violation but chose t to in a similar case involving White House counselor Kellyanne Conway in 2017.

Goya became target of a consumer boycott after CEO Robert Unanue praised president at a Hispanic event at White House last Thursday.

Trump tweeted next day about his “love” for Goya, and his daughter followed up late Tuesday by tweeting a photo of herself holding a can of Goya black beans with a caption that re, “If it's Goya, it has to be good,” in English and Spanish.

Almost immediately, government watchdogs and social media commentators accused Ivanka Trump of violating ethics rules — an issue that was t dressed in a White House response statement that blamed news media and culture of boycotting certain views.

“Only media and cancel culture movement would criticize Ivanka for showing her personal support for a company that has been unfairly mocked, boycotted and ridiculed for supporting this ministration — one that has consistently fought for and delivered for Hispanic community," White House spokesperson Carolina Hurley said in an emailed statement.

“Ivanka is proud of this strong, Hispanic-owned business with deep roots in U.S. and has every right to express her personal support,” Hurley said.

Ivanka Trump sent tweet from a personal Twitter account that does double duty chronicling her work on various White House initiatives.

Trump himself appeared to back up his daughter Wednesday by posting a photo on his Instagram account showing him in Oval Office in front of various Goya products arrayed on his desk. As president, Trump is exempt from many of rules that federal workers must follow.

Walter Shaub, former director of Office of Government Ethics, said president's tweet and photo amounted to “an official campaign by Trump ministration to support Goya, making it all more clear that Ivanka’s tweet was a violation of misuse of position regulations.”

Shaub left government in 2017 after clashing with Trump ministration over ethics rules.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said rules are clear.

“ ethics rules for executive branch employees say that you can’t use your official position to promote a private business,” said ah Bookbinder, executive director of CREW. “It's pretty clear that context in which this came out is that Goya h been supportive of Trump ministration and Trump ministration was being supportive of Goya.”

Craig Holman, Capitol Hill lobbyist for Public Citizen, said episode was reminiscent of a 2017 incident when, during a nationally brocast cable TV interview, Conway urged Trump supporters to buy Ivanka Trump's clothing and accessories after rdstrom dropped fashion line. White House later said Conway h been “counseled” about her comments.

Holman argued that Ivanka Trump's action was less of a mistake given Conway incident.

“y decided to violate federal law thinking that it will benefit m politically," he said. Trump is looking to improve his standing with Lati voters before vember's election. He won votes of about 3 in 10 Lati voters in 2016.

Trump often blurs lines between politics and governing.

president used a speech Wednesday at a UPS facility in Atlanta on environmental permitting to rail against allowing mail-in voting for vember election and against Democratic rival Joe Biden. He also used a Tuesday news conference in White House Rose Garden, where presidents tritionally have refrained from politics, to lash out at Biden.

Last year, Trump floated idea of hosting a 2020 summit of world leers at his private, for-profit golf club near Miami, but backed down after a bipartisan outcry over conflict of interest.

Separately Wednesday, CREW filed a complaint with Office of Special Counsel against White House chief of staff Mark Meows alleging violations of Hatch Act during recent television interviews. law prohibits government officials from using ir positions to influence political campaigns.

re was immediate comment from Office of Special Counsel or White House.