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The non-partisan Campaign Legal Center said the commerce secretary Howard Lutnick violated ethics rules when he encouraged Americans to buy Tesla stock in an interview yesterday.

“Secretary Lutnick’s actions violate the ethics rules that were enacted to hold public officials accountable to the American people. His statement is part of a pattern of behavior showing that Trump’s indifference to ethics is trickling down to his most senior officials,” said Kedric Payne, the center’s vice-president and senior director for ethics.

The American people deserve a government that prioritizes public good. Most people will conclude that promoting a stock is not tied to any public good and ethics laws agree. The office of government ethics and commerce ethics officials should hold Lutnick accountable and reassure the public that their officials will face consequences if they use their public office to enrich themselves or their allies.”

Lutnick’s plea has not had much effect, at least not yet. Tesla’s share price is down about 0.9% in today’s trading, and more than 38% this year so far: