Ethics panel sounds the alarm after Trump official appears in jewelry ad using government title

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent

Wednesday 04 February 2026 17:45 EST


An ethics watchdog is sounding the alarm after a Trump administration official overseeing mineral innovation hawked diamond jewelry in a retail catalog.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which describes itself as an organization fighting for American democracy with an "aim to build a government that is accountable, transparent and ethical," filed a complaint last week focused on the jewelry ad.

The complaint urges the Energy Department's inspector general to investigate Trice Jewelers catalog ads featuring Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. She oversees the agency's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation.

The ad features a photo of Robertson — decked out in several pieces of diamond jewelry — and her dog. Larger images of the jewelry on offer surround the photo, including an 18-karat white gold diamond necklace with a $14,200 price tag. In addition to the images, there's a short quote from Robertson about her favorite jewelry and a biographical blurb about her that mentions her title.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/ethics-panel-trump-official-jewelry-ad-b2914138.html?test_group=lighteradlayout

---

Link to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) PRESS RELEASE - CREW submits complaint urging IG investigation into DOE official’s potential ethics violations

Link to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) COMPLAINT (PDF) - https://www.citizensforethics.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DOE-IG-Complaint-re_-Asst-Secretary-jewelry-ad.pdf

[Irish_Dem]

1. The Trump Crime Syndicate does not have to follow the law, rules, ethics.

Even if by some miracle the courts rule against them, they don't have to follow court orders.

[wcmagumba]

2. Ethics? We don't need no stinking ethics...

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

3. Shameful

[liberalgunwilltravel]

4. An Ethics Panel

How quaint.

[Vinca]

5. Ethics? What is this ethics you speak of?

Now if Joe Biden had done it, there would be nonstop coverage on TV, multiple Comer investigations and Jake Tapper would be putting out a new book. But Trump? Meh.

[durablend]

8. Biden would've been impeached, convicted and deported by now

[OldBaldy1701E]

6. Well, first one would have to explain what 'ethics' are to these inhuman scrubs. (n/t)

[travelingthrulife]

7. THAT is what they are complaining about? Did they just wake up?

[turbinetree]

9. Hey John Roberts what do you and 5 other lackeys think now..............the traitor doesn't follow any rules

rules you know because you and 5 maga lackeys gave him immunity on EVERYTHING and now its tricking down to his fellow sycophant's in every. agency.....................resign all 6 of you...............

[JudyM]

10. CREW has been doing excellent work investigating corruption and filing lawsuits. Here's a link to what they're up to

https://www.citizensforethics.org. Great organization to consider donating to.