A high-ranking official in the Trump administration has been caught moonlighting as a fashion influencer, using government resources to promote her personal brand and potentially violating rules against using public office for private gain. McLaurine Pinover, the communications director at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was found to be uploading fashion videos to Instagram during work hours, often from her government office.

The videos, which have since been deleted, showed Pinover modeling outfits and promoting products through affiliate links. According to CNN, which broke the story, Pinover was attempting to monetize her content, despite having only around 800 followers. The OPM has been instrumental in the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce, and Pinover's actions have sparked concerns about conflicts of interest and abuse of power.

The OPM has been at the forefront of the Trump administration's efforts to "drain the swamp" in Washington, D.C., but Pinover's actions suggest that some officials may be more focused on their personal brands than on serving the public. The agency has been accused of targeting federal employees and encouraging them to resign, and Pinover's side hustle has raised questions about the agency's priorities.

Government watchdog groups have expressed concerns that Pinover's actions violate rules against using government resources for private gain. The OPM did not immediately respond to questions about whether Pinover's actions constitute waste, fraud, or abuse, but the incident has sparked a wider conversation about the blurring of lines between public service and personal branding.

In recent years, the rise of social media has created new opportunities for individuals to build personal brands and monetize their online presence. However, when public officials engage in this behavior, it can create conflicts of interest and undermine trust in government. Pinover's actions are not an isolated incident; other Trump administration officials have also been accused of using their public office for personal gain.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater transparency and accountability in government. As the Trump administration continues to push for reforms to the federal workforce, incidents like Pinover's side hustle have raised questions about the administration's priorities and the potential for abuse of power.

In the end, Pinover's fashion influencer ambitions may have been a sideshow to her main role as a Trump administration official, but the incident has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of government officials and their use of public resources. As the public demands greater transparency and accountability from its leaders, incidents like Pinover's side hustle will continue to spark important conversations about the role of government and the responsibility of public officials.