ONE STEP CLOSER

Report: Emoluments Lawsuit Against Trump Will Continue

The plaintiffs can proceed in their efforts to review Trump’s personal finances.

A federal judge tossed out President Donald Trump’s latest effort to end the legal battle over his possible violation of the emoluments clause Wednesday, according to The Washington Post. The lawsuit alleges that Trump has been illegally profiting from foreign leaders staying at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, and that his continued ownership of those businesses violates the emoluments clause—which prohibits federal officials from receiving “present, Emolument, Office, or Title” from foreign parties. The Trump team claims that the emoluments clause only applies to literal gifts, and that paying for a hotel room that Trump owns does not qualify. As a result of the judge’s Wednesday ruling, plaintiffs will be allowed to proceed with their case, and continue their effort to interview Trump’s employees, review company records, and probe his personal finances.