Congressional Dems to file emoluments lawsuit against Trump

[Jacque67 7,328]

Nearly 200 Democratic members of Congress agreed to file a lawsuit Wednesday against President Trump alleging that by retaining interests in a global business empire he has violated constitutional restrictions on taking gifts and benefits from foreign leaders.

The lead senator filing the complaint in federal district court, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), said Tuesday that the lawsuit has already drawn more congressional plaintiffs — 196 — than any legal action previously taken against a president. No Republicans had joined in the lawsuit so far, although they will be invited to do so, Blumenthal said. 

An advance copy of the legal complaint reviewed by The Washington Post argues that those in Congress have special standing because the Constitution’s “foreign emoluments clause” requires the president to obtain “the consent of Congress” before accepting any gifts.

The legal effort, led in the House by Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), is likely to escalate tensions between the White House and Capitol Hill, where at least five committees are investigating various issues related to the Trump administration. 

News of the lawsuit emerged less than 24 hours after attorneys general in the District and Maryland, both Democrats, filed suit alleging that payments to Trump violated the Constitution’s anti-corruption clauses. In another lawsuit filed against Trump by business competitors, the Justice Department recently defended Trump’s actions, arguing that he violated no restrictions by accepting fair-market payments for services.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congressional-democrats-to-file-emoluments-lawsuit-against-trump/2017/06/13/270e60e6-506d-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html

Edited June 14, 2017 by Jacque67

[Jacque67 7,328]

http://theusconstitution.org/sites/default/files/Congress_Emoluments_Complaint_FINAL.pdf

 

smart people file .... Unlike Donnie who just threatens...

 

 

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

If the suit goes forward it will accomplish at least one major thing:  The Tax returns and corporate structure of Trump Inc ( and its myriad of shell corporations) should be in play for discovery. 

[CaliCat 3,957]

3 hours ago, ccneat said:

If the suit goes forward it will accomplish at least one major thing:  The Tax returns and corporate structure of Trump Inc ( and its myriad of shell corporations) should be in play for discovery. 

 

Funny how nobody seems to mention his broken promise to release his tax returns anymore. They probably keep hoping people will forget about it.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

Just now, CaliCat said:

 

Funny how nobody seems to mention his broken promise to release his tax returns anymore. They probably keep hoping people will forget about it.

Well Frankly, only reporters are interested and you don't learn anything from them and its none of our business anyways. 

[JimandChristy 1,689]

President of the United States now under criminal investigation.

[CaliCat 3,957]

On 6/14/2017 at 8:08 PM, JimandChristy said:

President of the United States now under criminal investigation.

 

Well, aren't criminals supposed to be under criminal investigation?  Draining the swamp. LOL. 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/15/opinion/trump-lawsuit-emoluments-private-businesses.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region&region=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region

 

Lawsuits filed this week by the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia and by nearly 200 Democratic members of Congressmay be the best chance to hold President Trump accountable for unconstitutional self-dealing, since the Republican-controlled Congress won’t.

Drafters of the Constitution were so determined to reduce potential corruption that they prohibited officials from accepting “any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever” from foreign governments without approval from Congress, and barred presidents from receiving payments from federal or state governments other than a salary.

 

But President Trump seems determined not to let the Constitution stop him from doing what he wants. He has refused to divest his hotels, real estate properties, golf courses and other businesses, many of which earn money and receive other benefits from foreign governments and federal and state agencies.

Mr. Trump’s businesses have already become vehicles for foreign and American officials to curry favor with him. Many foreign diplomats and their governments are holding events and booking rooms at the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office building in Washington. China and other countries have granted dozens of trademarks to the president and his family, allowing Trump companies to expand their licensing business into new markets. The General Services Administration, a federal agency that reports to the president and manages government buildings, did Mr. Trump a huge favor by deciding in March that he could keep his ownership of the Washington hotel, even though the lease clearly states that no elected official can benefit from it.

Edited June 16, 2017 by CaliCat