09-29-2018, 01:50 AM
Democrats' Emoluments Suit Against Trump Approved by Judge
A federal judge ruled Friday that congressional Democrats have standing to sue President Donald Trump over what they claim are violations of an arcane constitutional clause because he is still conducting business overseas.
There are two separate lawsuits aimed at the president for allegedly violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which bars elected officials from receiving gifts, payments, or benefits from foreign governments without the consent of Congress.
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled that roughly 200 members of Congress, led by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, had standing to sue Trump because he did not ask Congress before accepting anything that could be considered a foreign emolument.
The judge ruled that because Trump's business' acceptance of revenue from foreign entities was not approved by Congress, members have a right to sue and find out whether Trump is indeed in violation. Sullivan ruled that Trump has an obligation to get Congress to approve such foreign business.
This lawsuit is distinct from one filed by the attorneys general for Washington, DC, and Maryland. A federal judge found that those attorneys general had standing because of the impact foreign business at Trump's Washington, DC, hotel was having on other businesses in their jurisdictions. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-em...?r=UK&IR=T
A federal judge ruled Friday that congressional Democrats have standing to sue President Donald Trump over what they claim are violations of an arcane constitutional clause because he is still conducting business overseas.
There are two separate lawsuits aimed at the president for allegedly violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which bars elected officials from receiving gifts, payments, or benefits from foreign governments without the consent of Congress.
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled that roughly 200 members of Congress, led by Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Democratic Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, had standing to sue Trump because he did not ask Congress before accepting anything that could be considered a foreign emolument.
The judge ruled that because Trump's business' acceptance of revenue from foreign entities was not approved by Congress, members have a right to sue and find out whether Trump is indeed in violation. Sullivan ruled that Trump has an obligation to get Congress to approve such foreign business.
This lawsuit is distinct from one filed by the attorneys general for Washington, DC, and Maryland. A federal judge found that those attorneys general had standing because of the impact foreign business at Trump's Washington, DC, hotel was having on other businesses in their jurisdictions. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-em...?r=UK&IR=T