If there’s one thing the Democratic Party is sorely lacking, it’s a sense of humor.

Democratic lawmakers are calling for yet another congressional investigation — this time over a joke a member of the Donald Trump administration made about “The LEGO Batman Movie.”

NOTE: Comments made at 51:08 mark

Clip via C-SPAN

Democrats are calling it an ethics violation.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin was asked for movie suggestions at about the 51:08 mark of a 52-minute interview with “Axios.” The subject was broached in recognition of his former life as a Hollywood film executive.

Because of his professional background, Mnuchin was loath to give a serious suggestion, but decided to crack a joke about the Batman film he produced.

“I’m not allowed to promote anything that I’m involved in. So I just want to have the legal disclosure, you’ve asked me the question, and I am not promoting any product,” Mnuchin said on Friday. “But you should send all your kids to ‘Lego Batman.’”

Mnuchin laughed, “Axios’s” Mike Allen laughed and the audience laughed.

A humorless Democratic lawmaker did not.

Sen. Ron Wyden immediately shot a letter to Walter Shaub, the director of the Office of Government Ethics.

“I am concerned that Sec. Mnuchin’s comments, may be seen to have a predictable effect on the financial interests” of RatPac-Dune, the Oregon Democrat said in his letter, according to Reuters.

A Treasury spokesman issued a statement.

“As his statement reflects, the Secretary clearly recognized that he generally may not promote private interests and specifically gave the legal disclosure that he was not promoting a movie, but answering a question he was asked directly,” the department statement said.

In a similar incident, liberals pounced on White House counselor Kellyanne Conway for promoting first daughter Ivanka Trump’s line of clothing and accessories — even though the Trump daughter was not a member of the administration.

This week, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly made a harmless joke directed against Rep. Maxine Waters. Liberals continue to blast O’Reilly, even though he apologized for the harmless remark twice.

And liberals continued to complain on social media.

Wake up right! Receive our free morning news blast  HERE

@maggieNYT isn’t this the same as plugging Ivanka’s clothes. He needs to be counseled

— georganna price (@gpmominoh) March 29, 2017

@maggieNYT @FlyingYogini yeah what are we doing here? Are Americans that ignorant to this assault?

— MoYog (@MoYog1) March 28, 2017

@maggieNYT It’s fairly simple- everything to this admin is about the $$

— Bblluueess (@Bblluueess1) March 28, 2017

@maggieNYT Seeing his name in the end credits doubled my regret that I’d bought a ticket at all.

— A Lot Of iPhones (@brottlet) March 28, 2017

@maggieNYT Run government as a business, wait… Run government for YOUR businesses.

— Ben Music (@the_bmusic) March 28, 2017

@maggieNYT @xeni @theoryoftime Another ethics violation that will go unchallenged. What should we buy or bury next?

— sharon mitri (@slamw) March 28, 2017

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Michael Dorstewitz

Mike has been with BizPac Review almost from the beginning. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeBPR.

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