McLaurine Pinover, chief spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is under scrutiny for using her government office to film fashion videos for her Instagram account, @getdressedwithmc. Reports indicate she filmed at least twelve videos showcasing various outfits, including expensive pieces like a $475 purple skirt, during work hours, drawing criticism and concerns about ethics and propriety within the agency.
This controversy erupted as the OPM is at the forefront of federal workforce cuts under President Donald Trump’s initiatives, particularly driven by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Recently, thousands of federal workers faced layoffs, with OPM tasked with overseeing this drastic reduction of staff. Pinover's videos raised eyebrows, particularly when they coincided with significant layoffs, including 20 members of her own communications team, and moments when federal workers were instructed to justify their job performance.
Pinover’s videos, which garnered around 800 followers, often featured her modeling work-appropriate attire, all tagged with #dcinfluencer and links to affiliate websites, where followers could buy the clothes. Critics have highlighted the incongruity of advocating for various federal layoffs and efficiencies, all thewhile promoting her fashion line from the very office responsible for these cutbacks.
On February 13, when OPM laid off members of Pinover’s team, she posted content labeled "moment for mixed patterns," contrasting her actions with the harsh realities her coworkers faced. Just two weeks later, on February 28, during another round of emails obliging federal workers to summarize their productivity, she shared another video—dubbed the "Businesswoman special"—which again aligned with her online fashion endeavor during work hours, seemingly oblivious to the seriousness of her position.
Jack Miller, who previously held Pinover’s role under the Biden administration, remarked, "To post [a video] the very day your entire team is getting laid off is ridiculous." Many former OPM staff members expressed outrage, deeming her actions disrespectful to the dedicated employees who were losing their livelihoods.
According to federal regulations, public employees must not utilize government property for personal gain, except for minimal personal use. Donald K. Sherman, chief counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics, confirmed concerns about potential violations stemming from Pinover’s actions, arguing, "It is highly problematic... someone at the agency leading [attacks on civil service] is using their government job for private gain." Ethical experts have weighed in as well, with Kathleen Clark from Washington University stating Pinover’s behavior, though improper, is overshadowed by broader ethical failures within the Trump administration.
Despite the backlash, Pinover swiftly deleted her Instagram account following inquiries from CNN. Notably, her ShopMy links—through which she could earn commissions on sales—were also erased from public view as part of this retreat.
Before her appointment to OPM as communications director earlier this year, Pinover held various positions within the Trump administration, including executive assistant and assistant press secretary roles. Yet, her current stint at OPM, where she aims to streamline processes and prune employee count, contrasts sharply with her social media pursuits.
The release of this information raises pressing questions about the appropriateness of government officials engaging in private business activities during working hours and using governmental resources for personal benefit. This incident exemplifies the tension between public responsibilities and private ambitions, particularly at this tumultuous moment for the federal workforce.
With DOGE’s ambitious goals to cut down the federal workforce significantly, Pinover’s fashion escapades signal dissonance between the administration’s messaging and its officials’ actions. The agency has reportedly cut over 100,000 jobs already, and more layoffs loom as part of the current administration's broader strategy to decrease perceived government waste.
Observers of this situation call for greater transparency and ethical accountability from public servants, especially as the ramifications of layoffs continue to affect many hardworking federal employees. Pinover’s actions serve as a poignant example of the disconnect between the workforce policies implemented at the federal level and the behaviors exhibited by those enacting them.