Despite the White House having a long standing history of maintaing a relatively nepotism free environment, President Trump has completely reversed that. Exceeding all expectations, as usual, Trump has managed to keep his family in power by employing his gaggle of children as white house staffers, employees, and cabinet members. However, the family member who perhaps holds the highest position of power is his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Acting as his father-in-law’s senior adviser, Kushner has quickly ascended from Ivanka Trump’s husband to a high ranking cabinet member, playing a vital role in guiding Trump throughout his presidency. Despite many murmurings of possible nepotism because of his family connection and position, the Department of Justice ruled that Kushner was not in violation of any anti-nepotism laws back when he was first hired in January.

Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump has been promoted to assist her father in the White House, working as an unpaid White House employee in the West Wing and receiving top security clearance. Of course, many have addressed their concerns about these appointments and their possible violations of the 1967 nepotism law. However, both Kushner and Ivanka will serve as unpaid employees, a convenient loophole that frees them from any legal violations of this law, although, they are certainly not free from any criticism.

The problem with nepotism in the government is that is strongly mimics a monarchy or dynasty, both of which are a far cry from a democracy. But, perhaps our government is changing and evolving into something new, although, not every change is an improvement.