According to Joe Scarborough and Mika this morning it would appear Mr. Trump and his officials attempted to blackmail, extort, and or coerce Mr. Scarborough and Ms. Brzezinski …
to profess a personal loyalty or in giving favorable media coverage through a “requested apology” IN RETURN for not having a friend of the president publish lies and innuendo about Mr. Scarborough, Ms. Brzezinski, their families — potentially incurring professional and personal damages as a result of posted article.
Citation of Laws potentially broken by Mr. tRump and his staff.
18 USC 41 Section 873
Whoever, under a threat of informing, or as a consideration for not informing (Spiking a slanderous reputation/family damaging article) , against any violation of any law of the United States, demands or receives any money or other valuable thing (loyalty and preferential treatment) , shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
and Section 872: Extortion
Whoever, being an officer, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or representing himself to be or assuming to act as such, under color or pretense of office or employment commits or attempts an act of extortion, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Definition: Extortion
noun
noun: extortion; plural noun: extortions
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the practice of obtaining something (Loyalty and preferential treatment), especially money, through force or threats.
and maybe even Coersion that the WH employees are subject to, plus the pResident himself through his employees.
5 CFR § 2635.702
§ 2635.702 Use of public office for private gain.
An employee shall not use his public office for his own private gain, for the endorsement of any product, service or enterprise, or for the private gain of friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, including nonprofit organizations of which the employee is an officer or member, and persons with whom the employee has or seeks employment or business relations. The specific prohibitions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section apply this general standard, but are not intended to be exclusive or to limit the application of this section.
(a)Inducement or coercion of benefits. An employee shall not use or permit the use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another person, including a subordinate, to provide any benefit (positive ratings/media coverage) , financial or otherwise, to himself or to friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity.