CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Judge Gives Go-Ahead for Trump Emoluments Lawsuit

200 Congressional Democrats claim Trump is nullifying their votes by hosting foreign officials and events at his D.C. hotel.

A federal judge rules that the 200 Congressional Democrats trying to sue President Trump for violating the Constitution’s emoluments clause by doing business with foreign governments through his hotels have standing to proceed. The Washington Post reports the Democrats are alleging that the president is “taking payments from foreign states” by his business hosting foreign embassy events and officials at his D.C. hotel. Judge Emmet G. Sullivan wrote in his ruling that if the Democrats’ allegations are true, then the President ignored Congress’ responsibility of approving foreign emoluments and “nullified their votes.” While the president has relinquished the daily management of the hotels and other business ventures, he reportedly still “owns them and can withdraw money from them at any time.” Trump is also facing a separate emoluments suit from the D.C. and Maryland attorneys general.