Use of the Seal for Commercial Purposes May Be Illegal
The Trump Tower gift shop has been selling coffee mugs and other items bearing the official seal of the President of the United States, according to USA Today reporter Steve Reilly. Using the seal of the President of the United States for commercial purposes may be illegal, as Pro Publica noted in its story this week detailing that Trump Organization golf courses had ordered golf course markers with the official seal of the President.
“Under federal law, the seal’s use is permitted only for official government business. Misuse can be a crime,” Pro Publica reported.
Tuesday evening, Reilly posted this tweet with a photo of the mugs:
Pro Publica noticed and tweeted, “It’s illegal to use the seal for commercial purposes.”
Enforcement of the federal statute, 18 USC 713, is left up to the White House counsel’s office. It’s not known if the Trump Tower gift shop mentioned is owned or operated by the Trump Organization or is leased to another entity.
Image by Bin im Garten via Wikimedia and a CC license