It’s not politics. It’s ethics.

As a marketing and communications professional, I was shocked to receive the recent email from the Social Security Administration promoting what amounts to a misleading political message.

Government agencies are entrusted with the public’s confidence. Their communications should be rooted in clarity, accuracy, and nonpartisanship. This email, framing a temporary, limited tax deduction as a sweeping, permanent benefit, crossed a line.

The SSA has historically been a trusted, nonpartisan institution. Using it to amplify a political narrative not only undermines that trust, it sets a dangerous precedent. Misinformation from official sources isn’t just confusing, it’s damaging.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about ethics in public communication. As professionals in this field, we have a responsibility to speak up when the tools of our trade are used to mislead rather than inform.

We can and should expect better from those who speak on behalf of our institutions. Our democracy depends on it.