[Legality of Certain DOD Support for Activities Associated With the Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan]

In response to a congressional request, GAO rendered its opinion on the legality of certain support which the Department of Defense (DOD) provided for activities associated with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. DOD stated that its extensive participation in inaugural activities is fundamentally a matter of custom. GAO concluded that much of the support provided by DOD for the 1981 inauguration activities, while customary and partially authorized by the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies Act, was without proper legal authority. Therefore, GAO recommended that Congress undertake a review of the act to establish a clear basis for continuing participation by Federal agencies in the inaugural activities.