<p>Democratic lawmakers and critics of President Donald Trump are expressing concerns regarding a new advertisement that promotes an anti-socialist message and is funded by the U.S. government. The ad aired ahead of the midterm elections.</p>
<p>Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) stated, "This may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes," citing the U.S. Code. He added that it could violate the Hatch Act for any government employees involved in its production and is unethical under federal ethics provisions that prohibit using government resources for political campaigns.</p>
<p>The advertisement is a 30-second video that aired on Fox News, featuring the text "Paid for by the U.S. Government" alongside images of Trump and claims of his accomplishments during his presidency. The ad states, "Largest tax cuts in history," "Reigniting American manufacturing," and "Defend law and order and police," with visuals of Trump and the phrase "America will never be a communist country" overlaying the footage.</p>
<p>In the video, Trump asserts, "Together we will defeat communism, socialism, and Marxism in America. America will never be a communist country." The ad also includes a voice-over from UFC CEO Dana White, who describes Trump as "the toughest, most resilient person that I’ve ever met, and nothing is going to stop him from fighting so hard for the country he loves." </p>
<p>The advertisement, which aired on Wednesday, does not reference political activities or voting, which the Hatch Act regulates against using federal funds for. A White House official stated that the ad is "clearly not political" and does not include a call to action, noting that Trump’s name is not on the ballot this year.</p>
<p>A White House spokesperson commented, "These public service announcements are about reminding Americans to love their country and understand what makes it worth defending, at home, at our borders, and abroad. The ad is educational and unapologetically patriotic. We should be proud of our country." </p>
<p>Despite this, some Democrats are raising concerns about the ad's funding. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) wrote to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles requesting more information on how the advertisement was funded and produced, according to the New York Times.</p>
<p>Hassan expressed in her letter, "The advertisement raises deep concerns about the Trump Administration’s use of taxpayer dollars and its compliance with federal laws that prohibit the use of appropriated funds for the promotion of a political party or candidate." </p>
<p>Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also commented on the ad, describing the use of taxpayer dollars for it as a move that "feels like Viktor Orban" and "inappropriate." </p>
<p>The Trump administration has faced criticism in the past for using taxpayer dollars to create advertisements promoting federal government policies. For instance, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was criticized for a $220 million ad featuring her on horseback warning against illegal immigration to the United States.</p>
<p>Other administrations have similarly run government-funded TV advertisements. For example, former President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services spent $911 million on messaging related to COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the New York Post.</p>
<p>David Zimmermann contributed to this report.</p>