Schumer alleges illegal coordination between Trump, PAC on ads

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is moving to investigate President Trump for allegedly misusing taxpayer dollars to pay for government-sponsored campaign ads .

Schumer announced Tuesday that he is demanding that two government watchdog agencies investigate and preserve records related to the administration’s effort to make PSA television ads that portray Trump in a favorable light and are reminiscent of Trump campaign ads.

Schumer also said he will report Trump to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for illegal coordination with the MAGA Inc. political action committee, which Trump said will now start paying for the ads. Federal officeholders are by law prohibited from coordinating with super PACs like MAGA Inc.

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The $20 million ad campaign has been criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The series of ads that have run so far contain the disclaimer “Paid by the U.S. Government” and the funds originally came out of money intended for the Department of Homeland Security, according to a report from The New York Times .

Schumer, in a press release announcing the moves, called the ads “propaganda.”

“Trump has gutted funding for health care and other essential programs but he nonetheless found millions of dollars — taxpayer dollars — to pay for political ads,” Schumer said. “This is illegal, corrupt, and undemocratic — and now he’s following with another illegal act by directing his super PAC to pick up the tab for his propaganda. Donald Trump should not be able to get away with this gross waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars for his ridiculous propaganda ads. There must be an immediate investigation.”

The Schumer moves are mostly messaging signals, as it’s unclear whether the FEC will be able to investigate Trump. There are currently only two seated commissioners — both are Democratic appointees — with four vacant spots.

A spokesperson for the FEC declined to comment, as FEC complaints are confidential until they are resolved or closed.