Democrats' suit against Trump over foreign payment can proceed - judge

 

U.S. President Donald Trump applauds during an event honoring 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Democrats in Congress can move forward with a lawsuit accusing President Donald Trump of violating the law by accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments through his businesses.

 

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan denied a motion by Trump to dismiss the lawsuit filed by 198 members of Congress. The lawmakers charge the president violated the Constitution's "emoluments" clause, which prevents federal officeholders from accepting payments from foreign governments without the "consent" of Congress.

 

The constitutional provision is designed to prevent corruption and foreign influence.

 

Sullivan said in his 48-page decision that he found Trump's attempt to narrowly define the emoluments clause to be "unpersuasive and inconsistent."

 

He said he agreed with congressional Democrats who brought the case that the clause should be read more broadly as barring an official from taking any payment of any kind whatsoever from a foreign state without congressional approval.

 

Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco said: “As we argued, we believe this case should be dismissed, and we will continue to defend the President in court.”

 

Democratic U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler called the ruling "an important milestone in seeking to hold the President accountable for his ongoing violations" of the emoluments clause.

 

Trump, a wealthy real estate developer who as president regularly visits his own hotels, resorts and golf clubs, maintains ownership of his businesses but has ceded day-to-day control to his sons. Critics have said that is not a sufficient safeguard.

 

The lawsuit by congressional Democrats is one of two cases against Trump involving the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution.

 

In the other case, Democratic attorneys general in Maryland and the District of Columbia argued that Trump's failure to disentangle himself from his hotels and other businesses made him vulnerable to inducements by foreign officials seeking to curry favour. The case was later narrowed to focus specifically on Trump's hotel in Washington.

 

Since his election, the hotel has become a favoured lodging and event space for some foreign and state officials visiting the U.S. capital.

 

A federal judge in that case also rejected Trump's narrow view that emoluments were limited essentially to outright bribes. But an appeals court is reviewing the case and has temporarily frozen evidence-gathering that could force disclosure of Trump's financial records.

 

(Reporting by Eric Beech and David Alexander; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-01

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26 minutes ago, webfact said:

But an appeals court is reviewing the case and has temporarily frozen evidence-gathering that could force disclosure of Trump's financial records.

Another investigation under review....Trump is the master of being in the "gray area" when all lawmakers are looking for black and white answers

I disagree more like the master of delay or better yet stonewalling 

you know what is really funny - if 80% of congress had an investigation against them as thorough as Muller's these last 3 years they would all be facing jail for one thing or another - it is actually worse than the current circus going on in Westminster.

 

enough already lol

It sound to me like the all-time definition of corruption if they DONT go through his tax records and his hotels books.

Otherwise any Tom, Dick and Vladimir could stay in his hotel and choose to pay

500k for a night 

If he had to make court appearances he would spend more time there than in the White House. Has there ever been a President so submerged in legal proceedings? I'm finding it hard to keep up with who and for why there is yet another judge ruling on Don. Easier these days to name who isn't. 

If only democrats spent as much time, energy and money on working instead of hunting Trump, America would have been miles ahead by now. 

 

All they have done for 4 years is hunt Trump.

 

Even accepting all his faults , surely time, energy and money can be better spent 

26 minutes ago, smedly said:

you know what is really funny - if 80% of congress had an investigation against them as thorough as Muller's these last 3 years they would all be facing jail for one thing or another - it is actually worse than the current circus going on in Westminster.

 

enough already lol

Says man who clearly doesn’t understand the Constitutional duty of Congress to hold the Executive in check.

 

Inserting a fanciful supposition of guilt for unspecified crimes amongst Congress doesn’t hide that fact.

16 minutes ago, BestB said:

If only democrats spent as much time, energy and money on working instead of hunting Trump, America would have been miles ahead by now. 

 

All they have done for 4 years is hunt Trump.

 

Even accepting all his faults , surely time, energy and money can be better spent 

Hunting a prey is more visceral, especially an elusive, crafty prey. Congress is just trying to catch up on its obligation to the Constitution of checks and balances.  After 2 yrs. lost time before the blue wave. Not 4 yrs. 

Edited May 1, 20197 yr by Kasane

13 minutes ago, BestB said:

If only democrats spent as much time, energy and money on working instead of hunting Trump, America would have been miles ahead by now. 

 

All they have done for 4 years is hunt Trump.

 

Even accepting all his faults , surely time, energy and money can be better spent 

Donald has brought 95%of this on himsielf by his actions and immorality his flagerent disregard for the constitution and law

1 hour ago, smedly said:

you know what is really funny - if 80% of congress had an investigation against them as thorough as Muller's these last 3 years they would all be facing jail for one thing or another - it is actually worse than the current circus going on in Westminster.

 

enough already lol

Enough already of you making up lies to suit your agenda.

 

Unless, of course you can name those in the 80%, list their crimes and produce evidence to back up your nonsense.

 

No, I thought not.

24 minutes ago, Blue Muton said:

Enough already of you making up lies to suit your agenda.

what agenda

All politicians have their eccentricities and, when they play nicely in the sandbox, are tolerated. Trump has brought shameful, schoolyard bully behavior to the oval office and has NO regard of trying to work with others. That is one of the many characteristics of textbook narcissism he displays. He is beyond unhinged, will go down in the annals of history as an aberration, and the sooner this disgusting blight on US politics is flushed like the "Mr. Hanky" he is, the better.

1 hour ago, smedly said:

what agenda

It’s a valid question.

 

Some folk don’t need an agenda to justify making up nonsense.

If he had to make court appearances he would spend more time there than in the White House. Has there ever been a President so submerged in legal proceedings? I'm finding it hard to keep up with who and for why there is yet another judge ruling on Don. Easier these days to name who isn't. 

He's not fit to be president. If he cared about the country and not only himself he would have resigned long ago anyway. Then he would have plenty of time to deal with defending himself in court.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

All politicians have their eccentricities and, when they play nicely in the sandbox, are tolerated. Trump has brought shameful, schoolyard bully behavior to the oval office and has NO regard of trying to work with others. That is one of the many characteristics of textbook narcissism he displays. He is beyond unhinged, will go down in the annals of history as an aberration, and the sooner this disgusting blight on US politics is flushed like the "Mr. Hanky" he is, the better.

He's already clearly destined to go down in history as the lowest rated American president. But they'll have to add an asterisk to indicate - - even lower.

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16 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a valid question.

 

Some folk don’t need an agenda to justify making up nonsense.

D Trump is the President of the USA like it or not 

 

This circus has gone on for 3 years now - let him do the job he was elected to do, everyone is sick to the back teeth of the continuous effort to remove him - I am sure if they dig deep enough and long enough they will find some dirty laundry - my point being - dig deep enough and most them have

2 hours ago, BestB said:

If only democrats spent as much time, energy and money on working instead of hunting Trump, America would have been miles ahead by now. 

 

All they have done for 4 years is hunt Trump.

 

Even accepting all his faults , surely time, energy and money can be better spent 

Wait, the Dems are at work! Doing what they do best

 

Edited May 1, 20197 yr by riclag

4 minutes ago, smedly said:

D Trump is the President of the USA like it or not 

 

This circus has gone on for 3 years now - let him do the job he was elected to do, everyone is sick to the back teeth of the continuous effort to remove him - I am sure if they dig deep enough and long enough they will find some dirty laundry - my point being - dig deep enough and most them have

The Mueller investigation has exposed the dirt.

 

The AG has done his best to bury the allegations against Trump.

 

He, the AG is about to be questioned by both the Senate and the House.

The process of holding the President in check continues.

 

The only people sick of this are those who have no desire to hear the truth of Trump’s crimes.

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The Mueller investigation has exposed the dirt.

 

The AG has done his best to bury the allegations against Trump.

 

He, the AG is about to be questioned by both the Senate and the House.

The process of holding the President in check continues.

 

The only people sick of this are those who have no desire to hear the truth of Trump’s crimes.

Nope, I am genuinely just sick of the circus

 

If you think for one moment that Mueller found something and has been silenced then sorry but that is just nonsense

if 3 years of made up collusion nonsense doesnt work, try and try again. 

omg foreign sounding names stayed at a trump hotel..lol

this will also go nowhere but it will serve its purpose for 2020 imo.

 

3 hours ago, Tug said:

Donald has brought 95%of this on himsielf by his actions and immorality his flagerent disregard for the constitution and law

May well be, still does not excuse money and time wasting which gets them nowhere.

17 minutes ago, cbtstorm said:

if 3 years of made up collusion nonsense doesnt work, try and try again. 

omg foreign sounding names stayed at a trump hotel..lol

this will also go nowhere but it will serve its purpose for 2020 imo.

 

Is that where the  dem cabal are going with this.Disputing foreigners visiting and staying at Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. ,that was formed many years prior to his win in 2016 ! 

Mr. Trump has been planning with lawyers against the  deranged libs and bias MSM attack on him, all his life!

I hope he makes billions on his name,  TRUMP! Good for him!

Edited May 1, 20197 yr by riclag

14 minutes ago, cbtstorm said:

if 3 years of made up collusion nonsense doesnt work, try and try again. 

omg foreign sounding names stayed at a trump hotel..lol

this will also go nowhere but it will serve its purpose for 2020 imo.

 

Direct collusion may not have happened but it is now a proven fact that "trump" and his campaign openly welcomed assistance from a hostile foreign power. Just that alone means he is completely UNFIT to be an American president. 

4 hours ago, tingtongtourist said:

It sound to me like the all-time definition of corruption if they DONT go through his tax records and his hotels books.

Otherwise any Tom, Dick and Vladimir could stay in his hotel and choose to pay

500k for a night 

must be the most transparent way to bribe a president ???? more Russia delusions. 

 

5 hours ago, Tug said:

I disagree more like the master of delay or better yet stonewalling 

 

Are congress going to start a lawsuit against Hilary for that 10 million "donation" the German government gave her Clinton Foundation just before she lost the election she was widely expected to win?

1 hour ago, riclag said:

Is that where the  dem cabal are going with this.Disputing foreigners visiting and staying at Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. ,that was formed many years prior to his win in 2016 ! 

Mr. Trump has been planning with lawyers against the  deranged libs and bias MSM attack on him, all his life!

I hope he makes billions on his name,  TRUMP! Good for him!

maybe this is why they want to lower the voting age. some kids might buy that bedtime story.

they will drag out the lawsuit for 2020. it's all they got considering the Dems candidates need a lot of help.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

When will the children leave the playground and return to work?????

you are talking about DT are you

I guess he should have had a foundation though which to accept the gifts. Sorta like the Clinton Foundation did.  Then there would be no problem.  

5 minutes ago, connda said:

I guess he should have had a foundation though which to accept the gifts. Sorta like the Clinton Foundation did.  Then there would be no problem.  

You mean like the Trump Foundation?  That didn't work out too well. 

 

[In a statement, Underwood said: “Our petition detailed a shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation – including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more. This amounted to the Trump Foundation functioning as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr Trump’s business and political interests.”]

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/18/trump-foundation-shutdown-lawsuit