Family Benefits: How politicians’ families profit off their connections

This appeared in The Millennial Source

To prevent public servants from profiting from being in a position of power, the United States government has multiple statutes that forbid self-dealing and nepotism. But in spite of these laws, government officials and their families often appear to benefit either directly or indirectly from their proximity to power.

In the 2020 election, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will go head to head to present the case for whose leadership will be better for the country. Yet, both have been accused of allowing their families to profit off their time in government, setting up a contest of ethics as much as ideas.

Federal laws restricting private gain

Concerns that government officials would seek to profit from their positions has led to multiple laws meant to quell self-dealing practices that would lead to personal enrichment.

One such statute is 5 CFR § 2635.702, a federal law related to the executive branch of the government, of which the president is the head. This statute addresses the “use of public office for private gain.”