NEWS: Sen. Schiff Exposes Plans for Additional Propaganda Banners, Details Illegal Federal Spending in New Report

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released a new oversight report exposing federal contracting data related to political banners featuring President Donald Trump on federal buildings around the Capital region, violating federal appropriations law prohibitions on taxpayer spending on propaganda.

The report exposes previously unreported contract documents for additional 88-foot propaganda banners at the Department of Health and Human Services, part of more than $50,000 in taxpayer funds being spent so far on banners.

"This pattern of contracts suggests an unprecedented and coordinated effort by the Executive Branch to use federal funds to glorify and pay tribute to a sitting U.S. President and his political agenda, despite a longstanding legal prohibition against the use of federal funds for propaganda and self-aggrandizement purposes," the report reads.

"In addition to wasting taxpayer funds, these banners mimic self-aggrandizing banners, billboards, and other propaganda promoted by dictators abroad. They also serve as a stark visual manifestation of measures President Trump and his administration are taking to consolidate power and control that are antithetical to American democracy."

The report points to prohibitions included in federal spending laws since 1951 that prohibit taxpayer spending on "for publicity or propaganda purposes," including the appropriations statute governing the current fiscal year.

The report also exposes how one contract explicitly lays out a requirement for banners to last "preferably 4 years," further confirming the political nature of the banners.

Senator Schiff's full report can be found here.

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