US President Donald Trump is being criticised for using his office in his reelection campaign.
During the second night of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday (local time) Trump broke tradition by taking advantage of privileges available only to him as president - he staged a citizenship ceremony.
In a pre-recorded video, Trump's acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf conducted a naturalisation ceremony for five new US citizens at the White House. Wolf announced the new citizens in his official capacity and Trump congratulated the individuals.
But a federal law called the Hatch Act bars federal employees - aside from the president - from taking part in any political activities, including campaigning, in their official capacities.
Then, Mike Pompeo became the first secretary of state in more than 75 years to make an address at a political convention.
"I'm speaking to you from beautiful Jerusalem," he said from a rooftop, where he is currently on a four-day taxpayer-funded trip.
His role is a job usually seen as being above politics.
"The President has held China accountable for covering up the China virus and allowing it to spread death and economic destruction in America, and around the world," he said.
But Pompeo's was one of the few mentions of COVID-19, despite it still infecting more than 40,000 people a day in the US. Yet top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow spoke about it in the past tense.
"It was awful. Health and economic impacts were tragic, hardship and heartbreak were everywhere," he said.
The Republican Party instead continued its national convention with popular enemies, including the media and the so-called 'radical left'.
"This misinformation system keeps people mentally enslaved to the ideas they deem correct," Trump's youngest daughter Tiffany said.
Florida's Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez attacked those on the other side of the political spectrum, saying: "Daily, the radical left systematically chisels away at the freedoms we cherish."
And former Democrat-turned Trump supporter Robert Vlaisavljevich - who is also the mayor of Eveleth, Minnesota - also went after the "radical left".
"[Democratic presidential nominee Joe] Biden is too weak, too scared and too sleepy to stand up to the radical left," he said.
In stark contrast to that was First Lady Melania Trump's keynote speech.
"I don't want to use this precious time attacking the other side, Because as we saw last week [at the Democratic convention], that kind of talk only serves to divide the country further," she said.
Speaking at the White House - a third crossing of the line between politics and government - she offered empathy to anyone affected by COVID-19.
"My prayers are with those who are ill or suffering."
At times her speech took a presidential tone that was befitting of the White House podium, but she often appeared to contradict her husband - for example, his use of social media.
"Just like me, I know many of you watch how mean and manipulative social media can be," she said. "I urge people to come together, in a civil manner, so we can work and live up to our standard American ideals.
The focus now will be on whether Donald Trump will echo his wife's sentiments when he speaks on Friday.
