Norman Eisen, a former White House ethics lawyer to President Obama, ripped the Trump administration in an op-ed Thursday for its handling of ethical issues, accusing President Trump of creating an environment for "serial ethics problems."

Eisen, who is also a chairman for the watchdog group the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, hit the administration and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinLawmakers fear voter backlash over failure to reach COVID-19 relief deal United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid House Democrats plan to unveil bill next week to avert shutdown MORE's request to use a government trip on his honeymoon in an op-ed for USA Today.

"President Trump has created the environment for these kinds of serial ethics problems through his own contempt for ethics and law," Eisen wrote.

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"He has kept his highly conflicted personal business interests, and used the Oval Office to promote them. No wonder Mnuchin may feel entitled to use public office for private gain. Improper use of government jets is small beer compared to the emoluments the president is collecting," he continued.

Eisen's criticism comes after it was reported the Treasury secretary had requested to use a government jet on his honeymoon earlier this year. The jet requested was a U.S. Air Force jet that can reportedly cost about $25,000 an hour to operate.

The Treasury Department defended the reasoning for Mnuchin's request, saying "It is imperative that [Mnuchin] have access to secure communications, and it is our practice to consider a wide range of options to ensure he has these capabilities during his travel, including the possible use of military aircraft."

Mnuchin and administration officials said they did not use the jet once they learned there were other ways to stay in touch with the White House during the trip.

Eisen said in his op-ed that the Treasury secretary should be reined in by the administration, adding that it is imperative that the president set a positive example for those around him.

The watchdog group has kept a watchful eye on the Trump administration in recent months, including Mnuchin.

The group sued the Treasury Department last month for records about Mnuchin and his wife's trip last month to Kentucky at the time of the solar eclipse.