November 22, 2016

Donald Trump's business interests have suddenly been on the tongues of the news media now that the election is in the rear view mirror.

During the election season, it was like pulling teeth to get them to spend much time on it at all, as well as his refusal to release his tax returns, except for a few great investigative reporters.

During a meeting with the NY Times, that he at first cancelled, and then showed up for, Trump sounded very much like a former president who got impeached.

He told the NY Times that the president can't have any conflicts of interest, business-wise. It's just not a thing.

Trump believes he can even run his branding business out of the White House.

This is delusional.

When asked about Trump's business conflicts, Kellyanne Conway previously said, "I'm very confident he isn't breaking any laws. He has various lawyers, accountants and advisers telling him what he can and can't do."

I have a question for Kellyanne Conway. Who are these lawyers and accountants advising Trump? Rudy Giuliani, for example?

She seems to have difficulty understanding the United States Constitution, which reigns over those laws they're talking about skipping over.

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 - Emolument Clause:

“No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.

“Emolument” means compensation for labor or services like a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office.

The NY Times writes:

Experts in legal ethics say those kinds of arrangements could easily run afoul of the Emoluments Clause if they continue after Mr. Trump takes office. “The founders very clearly intended that officers of the United States, including the president, not accept presents from foreign sovereigns,” said Norman Eisen, who was the chief White House ethics lawyer for Mr. Obama from 2009 to 2011.

“Whenever Mr. Trump receives anything from a foreign sovereign, to the extent that it’s not an arm’s-length transaction,” Mr. Eisen said, “every dollar in excess that they pay over the fair market price will be a dollar paid in violation of the Emoluments Clause and will be a present to Mr. Trump.”

Congress has a constitutional obligation to determine if Trump is breaking the rules and take action against him if he continues to do so.

Don't hold your breath, though.

I imagine once members of Congress do complain and or try to take action, Trump and his surrogates will immediately attack the Clinton Foundation, once again. Or emails.

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