It's Going Down! D.C. & Maryland Sue Trump For Unconstitutionally Accepting Millions From Foreign Governments
The Trump administration just can't catch a break.
As the White House tries to keep up with the Russian collusion probe, the floundering travel ban, and the "leakers," Washington, D.C.'s attorneys general and the state of Maryland sued President Donald Trump Monday, saying he's violated the U.S. Constitution's anti-corruption clauses by accepting millions in payments and benefits from foreign governments since being inaugurated earlier this year.
While Trump said in January that he was going to eliminate potential conflicts of interest by turning his businesses over to his sons, D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh allege in their suit that Trump has failed to separate his public duties from his business empire.
“Fundamental to a President’s fidelity to (faithfully execute his oath of office) is the Constitution’s demand that the President ... disentangle his private finances from those of domestic and foreign powers," the lawsuit reads, according to The Washington Post.
"Never before has a President acted with such disregard for this constitutional prescription.”
As Fox News reported, the 48-page complaint claims Trump received payments or benefits from governments including China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Indonesia in the form of hotel room reservations, trademarks, and/or leased space.
(Kaha Imnadze is Georgia's ambassador to the United Nations ⬆️)
Racine said part of the reason why he decided to sue Trump is because Congress has appeared "unwilling" to deal with POTUS' conflicts of interest.
If the case proceeds, Racine and Frosh told the Post that they will demand copies of the president's personal tax returns in order to determine his foreign business dealings. That issue would most likely end up before the Supreme Court, since Trump wants his tax returns to stay private.
At the core of the lawsuit are the Constitution's foreign and domestic emoluments clauses, which prevent the president from profiting from any businesses he controls, benefits from, or owns.
Several other groups have challenged Trump over the issue of emoluments since he moved into the White House, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics; a Washington, D.C. wine bar; and a group of House and Senate Democrats.
At a press briefing Monday, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Trump's interests did not violate the emoluments clause. He also argued that the attorneys general behind the suit are attacking Trump for political reasons. (Racine and Frosh are both Democrats.)
You can read the Post's complete report on the suit here.
