After news surfaced of Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer who promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton, some defended the actions of the president’s son by saying he simply hadn’t known better.
Now a letter that shows how another political family handled possible future calls of nepotism and improper dealings is being widely shared.
Former President George H.W. Bush sent the letter in May 1988 to the junior Bush, who was working on his campaign at the time. It was also shared with the rest of the Bush family, and was clearly written for all of them.
He said the family would be subject to “microscopic probing,” and warned them against new friends who would ask them for favors.
“My plea is this: please do not contact any federal agency or department on anything,” Bush Sr. wrote. “A call from a ‘Bush’ will get returned, but there is a great likelihood that it will be leaked; maybe deliberately misrepresented.”
He told the family to forward any legitimate inquiries to his office, “so no one can accuse any of the family of trying to use influence.”