Is Donald Trump in violation of the US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause? According to a federal judge, it looks like he very well may be.
Politics
What is the Emoluments Clause, you ask? The US Constitution defines “emolument” as “profit,” “gain,” “advantage,” or “benefit.” In layman’s terms, the clause forbids federal officials from receiving emoluments (i.e. profits, advantages or benefits) from foreign governments without the consent of Congress. However, since the moment he took the oath of office Trump has been doing just that.
The attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit claiming that Donald Trump has been profiting from his presidency via his many hotels and resorts. For example, Trump regularly hosts foreign dignitaries and officials at his Trump International Hotel in Washington, where guests pay an exorbitant rate that goes directly into Trump’s pocket. According to the lawsuit, foreign governments have been buying expensive suites at various Trump properties as somewhat of a “payment” to “The Donald” in order to gain favor with him.
Although Trump technically removed himself from the day-to-day operations of his businesses, he refused to divest his ownership interests in those companies. As a result, he is illegally earning profits, advantages, and benefits via commercial transactions with foreign governments — which is strictly forbidden by The US Constitution and its Emoluments Clause.
Additionally, Trump earns truckloads of cash whenever he takes one of his frequent vacations to a Trump resort. His political aides, members of the Secret Service, members of the press pool, and others all stay (at the rack rate) for several nights inside whatever Trump property “The Donald” chooses to visit. With the hotel full and everyone paying a premium, all of that cash goes directly to… you guessed it… Donald Trump!
Last week, Judge Peter Messitte denied Trump’s motion to dismiss the case and ruled that the type of commercial profits he is frequently the beneficiary of from foreign governments are indeed covered by the Emoluments Clause.
So, what happens next?
A federal court could soon force Donald Trump to make a choice:Â either divest himself from ownership of his businesses or divest himself from the presidency.
Additionally, the Emoluments Clause violations could conceivably ignite impeachment proceedings against him.  Judge Messitte’s ruling appears as if the courts are prepared to penalize Trump one way or the other for using his hotels and the presidency as a virtual 2nd income.
Should Donald Trump sell his businesses in order to remain in office and avoid an Emoluments Clause violation? Should he resign the presidency and go back to making real estate deals and other jobs in order to keep the feds off of his back? Or will all of this blow over and eventually be dismissed just as Trump hopes will happen?
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A federal court could soon force Donald Trump to make a choice: either divest himself from ownership of his businesses or divest himself from the presidency. […] – DJ
Well that would at least show that his near total disregard for the Constitution will not be tolerated.
Unfortunately I don’t think he’s going to forced to choose anything. He’s going to continue conducting Trump-business “as usual.” emboldened by the fact that-thus far- No One has truly shown the Courage to try to stop him.
No One.