US Diplomats Can’t Participate in Ice Bucket Challenge
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iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — With the exception of the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand who didn’t realize the rules, you won’t see U.S. diplomats taking part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at Thursday’s briefing that taking part in the challenge violates the restrictions placed on high level U.S. government employees.
“Federal government ethics rules prevent us from using our public offices such as, high public officers such as ambassadors for private gain no matter how worthy the cause is and this is of course a worthy cause,” Harf said.
“For that reason high ranking state department officials are unfortunately unable to participate in the ice bucket challenge,” she noted.
Hard added that the State Department wishes the ALS Foundation success.
“Obviously it’s a very important cause,” she said.
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