Civic Register
| 3.23.18

AGs Request Trump's Communications with Foreign Officials About DC Hotel

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UPDATE - September 17, 2018

  • The attorneys general of Maryland and D.C. are asking a court to order President Donald Trump to hand over any communications with state or foreign governments related to his Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.

  • The request is part of a lawsuit by the AGs, who argue that Trump is violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which bans public officials from receiving gifts and cash from foreign governments without approval from Congress.

  • Trump had tried to have the case dismissed, but U.S. District Court Judge Peter Messitte ruled in July that the attorneys general had legal standing to sue.

Countable's original story appears below.

Judge Allows Emoluments Lawsuit Against Trump to Proceed

UPDATE - March 3, 2018: A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump violated the Constitution's ban on receiving "emoluments," or payments from foreign governments, can proceed.

  • Federal District Judge Peter Messitte of the US District Court of Maryland ruled that the Maryland and District of Columbia attorneys general who brought the case have legal standing to sue the president.

"[A] large number of Maryland and District of Columbia residents are being affected and will continue to be affected when foreign and state governments choose to stay, host events, or dine at the Hotel rather than at comparable Maryland or District of Columbia establishments, in whole or in substantial part simply because of the President's association with it," Messitte wrote.

  • This is the first of three emoluments lawsuits against Trump to have cleared this initial legal hurdle.

Countable's original story appears below.

What’s the story?

  • A summons has been sent to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in a lawsuit alleging President Donald Trump is violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution.

  • The attorneys general for Washington, D.C. and Maryland argue that Trump is violating the clause, which bans public officials from receiving gifts and cash from foreign governments without approval from Congress.

  • The Republican National Committee spent almost $271,000 at Trump properties in February, according to Federal Election Commission filings. That represents 86 percent of the RNC’s February expenses.

Why does it matter?

  • The lawsuit alleges representatives from foreign governments who stay at Trump hotels are, in essence, giving the president money, thereby violating the foreign emoluments clause which prohibits "any present, Emolument, Office or Title, of any kind whatever."

  • The attorneys general also argue that local businesses in Maryland and D.C. have lost revenue opportunities as foreign entities instead choose to spend money at Trump properties.

  • Trump and his legal team have three weeks to respond to the summons.

What do you think?

Are you concerned about President Trump potentially violating the emoluments clause? Is the president benefiting personally from his position? Use the Take Action button to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

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