In an open letter posted online, Democrats from the House Justice Committee have called for US president-elect Donald Trump's decision to appoint his son-in-law to a senior political adviser role to be reviewed.

The White House adviser role would see real estate billionaire Jared Kushner, who is married to Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, potentially working on foreign policy and with his father-in-law's transition team.

The House Justice Committee is a standing committee of the House of Representatives charged with overseeing justice across federal courts, law enforcement and other agencies.

A group of Democrat committee members, including Ranking Member John Conyers, has called on the Justice Department and Office of Government Ethics to review "a number of legal issues" around Mr Kushner's appointment.

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The group believes his appointment may contravene the 'anti-nepotism rule', under which a '“public official may not appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving” a relative'.

"In this case, given the express inclusion of the President as a 'public official' under the anti-nepotism statute, there is a strong case to be made that the White House is an 'agency' for purposes of the anti-nepotism statute and that it would apply to bar Mr Kushner’s appointment as a White House staff member," the letter read.



The letter also expressed concern that while Mr Kushner intends to step down from his family's real estate business, it may not be enough to prevent any financial conflicts of interest.

"His attorney has indicated that he would 'recuse himself from any matters having a direct impact on his remaining financial interests', suggesting that he would not completely divest himself of assets that could raise a conflict of interest," the letter read.

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"Also, there is no indication that his wife, Ivanka Trump, would divest her ownership interest in the Trump Organisation or any other financial interests that could further raise potential conflicts of interest in her father’s administration."

The signatories of the letter stated they felt Mr Kushner would be in a position to "influence policy that benefits his business interests" and that his intention not to draw a salary might contravene other laws.

"Should Mr Kushner choose not to be compensated for his role as a White House 'senior adviser' in an attempt to circumvent both the anti-nepotism statute and the general prohibition on Executive Branch officials seeking to use their offices to enrich themselves, his appointment may violate the Anti-Deficiency Act," the letter read.

"Indeed, this concern may apply with respect to the appointment of other individuals who reportedly will fill positions as unpaid advisers to the incoming Administration, such as Carl Icahn and Corey Lewandowski, and we ask that you review the lawfulness and appropriateness of their circumstances as well."

The Anti-Deficiency Act prohibits federal government employees from working for free given they may later demand payment for their services, creating a financial deficiency the Congress must then fill.