REPORT: Pelosi Library Visit Violated IRS Rules
Did former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) break the law?
If we are to believe a recent report, she turned what was supposed to be a visit to the library into a campaign visit.
And according to the IRS, that breaks the law.
Nancy Did It Again
Pelosi was at the Central Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for a book tour.
However, instead of promoting the book, Pelosi sounded like she was campaigning for Kamala Harris.
During her appearance, Pelosi stated, “Kamala Harris should be elected president of the United States because she is the best person for the job.”
Pelosi was supposed to be shaking hands to promote her new book, “The Art of Power.”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) pointed out the tout of Kamala Harris as a violation of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rule prohibiting nonprofits from engaging in political activity.
Harris stated, “Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi visited the Pratt library for what was described as a book tour, but what ended up being a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Not only did Pelosi endorse Harris, but she also blasted Donald Trump, stating, “It was awful. There can be no denying that this was an insurrection incited by the president of the United States.
“The question is whether we will have a peaceful transfer of power the next time we have an election.”
According to the IRS rule, “Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity.
“Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.”
According to a report in the Baltimore Sun, Pelosi more or less admitted to her mistake, stating at one point, “I didn’t know we could talk politics.
“I think we’re talking civics here right now, right?”
Pelosi clearly violated the law, but my guess is that little statement by her was on purpose, and even though she is a United States Congresswoman and she is supposed to know our laws inside out and upside down, she will claim ignorance.
As we have seen in the past, these lame excuses usually work, so she will probably get nothing more than a stern warning and the library will probably get the same, when it should technically lose its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization for having allowed Pelosi to campaign during her appearance.