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https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/2024%20Ethics%20Pledge%20Trump.pdf

Trump Vance 2025 Transition Team Ethics Plan

The Trump Vance 2025 Transition Team agrees that it will implement and enforce an ethics plan

to guide the conduct of the Transition. The Plan aims to ensure that Transition team members abide by

the highest ethical standards, act solely in furtherance of the public interest, and base all policy and

personnel decisions on merit, free from individual conflicts of interest.

As part of the Trump-Vance Transition Team Ethics Plan:

1. Transition team members will avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest.

Transition Team members with conflicts of interest similar to those applicable to Federal employees

under section 2635.402(a) and section 2635.502(a) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, related to

current or former employment, affiliations, clients, or investments, are prohibited from working on

particular matters involving specific parties that affect the interests of such member. More specifically,

Transition team members may not participate in any particular Transition matter which to their

knowledge may directly conflict with a financial interest of theirs, their spouse, minor child, partner,

client or other individual or organization with which they have a business or close personal relationship.

Where there is no such direct conflict, but there may be an appearance of a conflict, they will address

this issue for resolution to the Transition General Counsel.

1. The Transition will safeguard classified information, as defined in 50 U.S.C § 834, and

only persons with the requisite security clearances will have access to classified information.

1. The Transition also will safeguard non-public information and other information that is

not readily available to the public. Accordingly, Transition team members must receive advance

authorization from the Transition’s Co-Chairs or their designee before seeking access, on behalf of the

Transition, to any non-public information. Transition team members must hold all non-public Transition

information in confidence, and use it exclusively for Transition purposes. Transition team members will

not use or permit to be used any non-public information provided to them in the course of their duties

with the Transition, in any manner, for any private gain for themselves or any other party, at any time

during or after the Transition.

1. Transition team members shall disqualify themselves from involvement in any particular

Transition matter if they have engaged in regulated lobbying activities with respect to such matter, as

defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act, within the previous twelve months. During their service with

the Transition, Transition Team members will not, on behalf of any person or entity, communicate with

or appear before, for compensation, any federal department or agency seeking official action for such

person or entity with respect to a particular matter for which they have direct and substantial

responsibility as part of the Transition .

1. No registered lobbyist, as defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act may serve as a

member of the Transition Team. Anyone who has been a registered lobbyist must affirmatively delist

themselves under the Lobbying Disclosure Act prior to joining the Transition Team.

1. For a period of 6 months following the end of a Transition Team member’s service to the

Transition, they will not on behalf of any other person or entity communicate with or appear before, for

compensation, any federal department or agency seeking official action for such person or entity with

respect to a particular matter for which they had direct and substantial responsibility during their service

with the Transition.

1. Transition Team members will not represent, aid, or advise a foreign government or

foreign political party, as defined under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, for the duration of their

service to the Transition. Persons registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act must file to

terminate their registration prior to beginning work with the Transition Team.

1. Transition team members may not misuse their positions. In all Transition-related

activities, team members may not make any representations on behalf of President Trump or Senator

Vance, their designees, or a Transition team official without authorization. Transition team members

may only identify themselves as acting on behalf of the Transition in Transition-related matters, and

may only use any property entrusted to them by the Transition for Transition-related activities.

1. Transition team members (and their immediate family) may not accept or solicit a gift

(money or anything of value)

GROK FTW

Based on the information provided and general knowledge up to my last update:

• 5GW (Fifth Generation Warfare): General Michael Flynn, along with Boone Cutler, has authored "The Citizen's Guide to Fifth Generation Warfare" (CG5GW), which aims to prepare people for what they describe as a new form of warfare characterized by information manipulation and psychological operations. This concept suggests a warfare approach where traditional military engagements are less relevant, and the battleground is more about information, perception, and influence [Introduction to 5GW by Michael T. Flynn, Boone Cutler].

• Rhetoric in Contradiction: Flynn's public statements, as seen in his X posts and other public appearances, often criticize political figures like Mike Pence and institutions involved in legal proceedings against him or Trump. His rhetoric can be seen as challenging the established order, including the legal system when it conflicts with his or Trump's political narrative. For instance, Flynn has criticized Pence for not supporting Trump's efforts to contest the 2020 election results, labeling him as part of the problem [General Mike Flynn @GenFlynn].

• US Constitutional Law and Order: The U.S. Constitution upholds the rule of law, ensuring that all individuals, including high-ranking officials, are subject to legal accountability. Flynn's narrative around 5GW and his criticisms might be interpreted as suggesting that traditional legal and constitutional frameworks are being subverted or are inadequate in the face of modern political warfare. This could be seen as contradictory to the principles of constitutional law and order, which rely on transparency, accountability, and the peaceful transfer of power, especially when his rhetoric seems to undermine legal proceedings or the integrity of electoral processes.

• Implications: Flynn's approach, encapsulated in his book and public statements, might imply a worldview where traditional legal and political structures are seen as battlegrounds in a larger information war. This can lead to a perception where loyalty to a political figure (like Trump) supersedes adherence to constitutional norms, which could be viewed as a direct contradiction to the foundational principles of U.S. governance.

• Practical Example: Flynn's involvement in the events leading up to and following January 6, 2021, where he was vocal about election integrity issues, and his criticism of Pence for not overturning the election results during the certification process, exemplifies this tension. His rhetoric supports the idea that the election was stolen, which conflicts with the legal and constitutional processes that validated the election results [Wikipedia].

In conclusion, while Flynn's work on 5GW and his public rhetoric aim to highlight what he perceives as new forms of warfare and political strategy, they indeed appear to be in contradiction with the established norms of U.S. constitutional law and order, particularly when they challenge the integrity of legal and electoral processes or criticize political figures like Pence for adhering to constitutional duties. This contradiction arises from promoting a narrative where loyalty to a political figure or ideology might overshadow the constitutional framework designed to ensure governance by law.