After Nordstrom pulled first daughter Ivanka Trump's clothing line in February, the responses from President Donald Trump and advisor Kellyanne Conway alarmed ethics lawyers enough to jump into action, according to emails obtained by NBC News.
The messages show Stefan Passantino, Trump's lawyer, was on the phone with the Office of Government Ethics the same day the president defended his daughter on Twitter. The OGE recommended Trump not use his position for personal gain, guidelines that are common but not legally required for the president.
Passantino was working with the OGE again the next morning just after Conway gave her "free commercial," assuring that "appropriate action" would be taken to "address her conduct."
The revelation of the emails comes after the OGE shot back at the White House sent a letter to the White House Counsel's office and top members of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee Thursday. OGE Director Walter Shaub said he remains "concerned about Ms. Conway's misuse of position."
