Trump's new press secretary is a lawbreaker who defends his sexist attacks
Stephanie Grisham has defended the worst of Trump. Now she’s been promoted to be his White House press secretary.
Stephanie Grisham, known for breaking federal law and defending Trump’s sexist attacks, was announced as his new White House press secretary on Tuesday.
“I am pleased to announce @StephGrisham45 will be the next @PressSec & Comms Director,” Melania Trump wrote. “potus & I can think of no better person to serve the Administration & our country.”
Last year, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel determined that Grisham broke federal law, violating the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials from using their positions to support partisan political activities and campaigns.
Grisham used her official Twitter account in July 2018 to tweet out Trump’s campaign slogan with the “#MAGA” hashtag.
“OSC has concluded that Ms. Grisham’s tweet violated the Hatch Act,” the Office of Special Counsel determined, and issued a warning letter to Grisham for breaking the law.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) said Grisham’s actions were an example of “a culture where showing that basic level of respect for the American taxpayer is optional.”
Trump officials, like top aide Kellyanne Conway, have repeatedly been cited for violating the Hatch Act and breaking the law.
While Grisham previously served as Melania Trump’s press secretary, it is unclear why Melania had a role in selecting her for the highly visible White House position, which is a taxpayer-financed job designed to aid the presidency in communicating with the public.
Working under Melania Trump, Grisham was described by the Washington Post as her “enforcer.” Central to that role was Grisham’s decision to defend Trump’s sexist attacks and smears.
In 2017, Trump went after MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski, alleging that she met him and was “bleeding badly from a face-lift.” Grisham leapt to Trump’s defense.
“As the first lady has stated publicly in the past, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder,” she told CNN.
Grisham has also had a role in the Trump administration’s defense of corrupt practices.
After reports emerged that Trump offered tours of Air Force One to members of his private, for-profit club Mar-a-Lago, Grisham said it was okay.
“This is something that has been done in past administrations going back years and is not out of the ordinary,” she told reporters.
The defense was untrue, as Trump is the first person to have an ongoing financial stake in an enterprise like Mar-a-Lago while also holding the office of the presidency.
For Grisham, defending Trump’s unprecedented corruption was second nature.
Actions like that indicate that Grisham will continue behaving like outgoing press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, whose tenure was filled with constant lies and abusive behavior at taxpayer expense.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.
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