WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Republican National Committee is asking for a Justice Department investigation of President Barack Obama over a fundraising video and e-mail that the GOP chief claims is “apparent criminal behavior.”
Reince Priebus on Monday wrote Attorney General Eric Holder to complain that Obama’s re-election campaign filmed a web video in the White House’s Map Room and then mailed it to supporters. Federal law prohibits political activity in government offices; the Map Room is in the executive mansion but not the office-filled West Wing.
Previous presidents have faced questions about political activity in the White House and each of Obama’s predecessors has concluded that using the residence does not violate the law. Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton filmed ads at the White House.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.