Should Trump be Banned from Using the Presidency to ‘Enrich Himself and His Family’?

What’s the story?

• Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California has introduced a bill that would make it a criminal offense for the president and his family to “enrich themselves by using his presidency.”
• The Prevent Corrupting Foreign Influence Act would “significantly improve upon the existing ban on America’s highest elected officials receiving financial benefits from foreign powers.”
• “Unlike other presidents, Donald Trump has failed to distance himself from his private business interests while serving our nation, and so he and his family are getting richer from Trump companies that receive money and benefits from foreign powers,” Swalwell said.

“Americans deserve to know that their president is working for them and only them, not having his own wallet fattened by foreign interests.”

• Though there is no apparent connection, a day after Swalwell introduced his bill, Ivanka Trump announced she was closing her namesake fashion brand.

What do you think?

Trump has said “the president can’t have a conflict of interest." And Congress has exempted the president and vice president from a federal law banning members of the executive branch from engaging in "acts affecting a personal financial interest."

Is it time to change the law? Do you support the Prevent Corrupting Foreign Influence Act? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr)