There had been some questions as to whether Trump daughter Ivanka Kushner would be taking over the duties of First Lady since Melania Trump was staying in New York to smooth the transition for her and Donald's 10-year-old son Baron. Ivanka had strenuously denied those suggestions saying on several occasions that,"there is only one First Lady and that's not me."
To learn why so many people are concerned with Ivanka's new job, be sure to read the final two paragraphs below after reading about the more obvious complications.
Top secret
Ivanka now has the top security clearance which goes with a top Presidential advisor’s job and a second-floor office in the west wing, the business side of The White House (as opposed to the private residence side.)
This is essentially now a family business, just as The Trump Organization was.
35-year-old son-in-law Jared Kushner is a senior White House adviser focused on international trade and on the 3,000-year-old Mid-East problem, and Ivanka now joins him as a top advisor.
Ethics watchdogs are barking
There are major conflicts of interest for both Jared and Ivanka. They have all the same conflicts as President Trump and some brand new ones - Ivanka has her own business operations separate from The Trump Organization.
Despite divesting a number of investments, Ivanka still owns and controls her jewelry and clothing lines. What sensible (and politically astute) woman would meet with President Trump and not be wearing something from the Ivanka lines?
We’ve already seen one made for Fox TV Ivanka clothing commercial by White House staffer and alternative fact promoter Kellyanne Conway.
Unusual, not unique
But despite some reports, having a close relative helping out in The White House isn’t a unique situation. Three presidential daughters have served as First Ladies.
Chelsea Clinton aided her father by accompanying him on some diplomatic missions while Hillary was running for The Senate.
Anna Roosevelt went to Yalta with her father.
In fact, there have been more than 20 relatives who worked in The White House, including two dozen who at times served as hostess or surrogate First Ladies. They ranged from daughters, daughters-in-law, sisters and one niece, to a cousin, and several aunts.
New problems for Ivanka
But the situation today is truly unique in one way.
The others worked in ceremonial roles. As a top advisor, Ivanka has a policy job but won’t be a government employee. She can’t be an employee due to the anti-nepotism rules passed after the Kennedy administration.
Ivanka will be a volunteer, albeit one with a top security clearance, advising President Trump. But Ivanka is exempt from all the annoying government regulations requiring employees to use certain secure systems for all communications and keeping careful track of their every official action.
Others in The White House, even Ivanka's husband, also have strict ethics rules regarding things such as taking gifts. They even have to carefully protect and preserve records of all phone calls, letters, and emails.
Ivanka Trump Kushner may not be required to even report gifts or contacts with foreigners.
Jamie Gorelick, Ivanka’s personal lawyer, told CNN Ivanka, "plans to adhere to the same ethics and records retention rules that apply to government employees." But he emphasized she isn't an employee so technically she isn't requited to follow those rules.
Zero accountability
The last puddle in this Trump ethical quagmire is summed up as follows. On January 22, White House staff Reince Priebus, Jared, Kellyanne, and even Steve Bannon took this oath, "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; ... and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Ivanka Kushner doesn’t take any oath.
