Jason Chaffetz, chair of the House Oversight Committee faced a public backlash today when he was confronted by angry protesters chanting "Do your job" as the list of ethically questionable moves taken by US President Donald Trump grows.
His body oversees investigations into federal, "waste, fraud, and abuse" - criticisms of retailer Nordstorm for dropping his daughter's fashion line have refocused public attention on potential commercial conflicts of interest which the Trump White House may face.
Local media in Utah - where the meeting took place - report that protesters attended the meeting to call for an investigation into the US President's conduct.
The Oversight Committee boss has condemned Trump aid Kellyanne Conway's use of her position to promote Ivanka Trump's fashion line on live TV. US laws make it easier to take legal action against White House staff than the US President in instances like this.
White House spokesperson Sean Spicer confirmed yesterday that she has "been counselled" following her comments.
"I am personally not diving into the individual roles of the family members. I haven’t done that with President Obama, and I have not done that with Donald Trump," Mr Chaffetz told Vox after the volatile meeting.
Cong Chaffetz Town Hall crowd chanting "Do your job!" He's having a hard time answering over crowd noise @UtahIndivisible @IndivisibleTeam pic.twitter.com/gO0BXybGy5
— Kyung Lah (@KyungLahCNN) February 10, 2017
The official was behind an investigation into Hillary Clinton's role in the 'Benghazi scandal.' He previously said he has no interest in "engaging in fishing expeditions" regarding Trump and his business interests.
Impeachment
If the US president was to be impeached, the House of Representatives would have to lead this action - it is controlled by Republicans who would need to turn on their party to oust Mr Trump. Failing something extreme happening - this is unlikely to occur (but you never know).
None of the action which was taken in the past 21 days has come close to a point where 'the House' would turn on him.
When Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson (in 1868) faced opposition majorities when they were impeached.
The judicial system can still keep Trump in check - but he has already begun attacking that body following his confrontation over the blocking of his 'travel ban.'
The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2017
Yesterday, a US appeals court upheld the suspension of President Donald Trump's controversial ban. The unanimous ruling, by a panel of three judges in San Francisco, is likely to pave the way for a showdown in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Trump's nominee Jeff Sessions - one of the earliest, and most enthusiastic supporters of his populist policies - has been appointed as his attorney general.
