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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWH Ethics Counsel - Just when you thought the Trump ethics disaster couldnt get worse, it did
Too bad the media is caught up in Trump's latest tweet storm. They are missing how Trump is about to be in breach of his constitutional obligations from Day One. Put another way, Republicans were losing their mind with respect to whether Hillary Clinton would have any connection to a non-profit foundation. Trump is going to continue owning and profiting from his various businesses. Indeed, foreign governments have already made it a point to make sure to stay at Trump branded properties in order to curry favor with Donald Trump.
Here is a nice article written by two former White House Ethics lawyers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/just-when-you-thought-the-trump-ethics-disaster-couldnt-get-worse-it-did/2017/01/16/001db550-dc04-11e6-ad42-f3375f271c9c_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-f%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.bf1e09b538ed
How does the Trump plan fall short? The president-elect asserted that the conflicts laws dont apply to him but ignored the most fundamental one of all: the constitutional rule that presidents may not accept cash and other benefits emoluments from foreign governments.
Trumps lawyer then offered a porous and insufficient plan to address this problem: The Trump Organization will donate profits from foreign governments use of his hotels. But why only hotels? What about foreign sovereign payments to buy his condos or apartments, for use of his office buildings or his golf courses, not to mention his massive foreign government bank loans, and other benefits? And why only profits, when the Justice Department has long held that the emoluments clause covers any revenue from foreign governments not simply profits?
For speaking up about the shortcomings of this plan, Shaub found himself in the Republican crosshairs. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah), chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that has jurisdiction over the White House, demanded Shaub appear for a Star Chamber-style recorded inquisition and implicitly threatened to shut down the Office of Government Ethics if Shaub did not submit. Chaffetz ought to have been doing the exact opposite, supporting OGE and demanding documents from Trump about any financial ties to Russia or other foreign governments.
Then, just when we thought it couldnt get worse, it did. The incoming White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, went on national television to threaten Shaub. In a scene like something out of a gangster B-movie, Priebus warned the director that he ought to be careful and gave his blessing to Chaffetzs interrogation. Priebuss glare of menace was unmistakable. The only thing he left out was cracking his knuckles.
central scrutinizer
(11,659 posts)Easy to adjust "costs" so that profit = 0
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)(The agency that runs tunnels and trains between NY and NJ as well as our airports) are both infamous for using this "profits" scheme to not pay partners. We almost let them build on a pier here and they promised "payments in lieu of taxes" based on profits. When we looked into it, we saw they screw over everyone!
Crash2Parties
(6,017 posts)So it's going to be just like a Pence presidency, but with Trump being allowed to make as many deals as he wants to enrich his own fortunes. Not that Pence wouldn't, he just won't have the same opportunities. And besides, beyond what he can make here his reward is in heaven after "saving" all those women who might want to make decisions for their own bodies. Oh, and gay folk...
TomCADem
(17,390 posts)President Trump will look the other way when it comes to voter suppression and appointing right wing, conservative judges. In return, Congress looks the other way as Trump profits off the Presidency.
Crash2Parties
(6,017 posts)dhill926
(16,351 posts)jesus christ. should laugh the sniveling little fuckstick out of the room...
the_sly_pig
(741 posts)Anagram for Reince Priebus. hehehehe