President Donald Trump secured a major victory in a federal appeals court regarding his hotel properties. A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit by the attorney generals of Maryland and Washington, DC that alleged Trump’s hotels were violating the emoluments clause.
President Trump made a somewhat unusual decision to largely maintain his business empire after assuming office. The governments of the District of Columbia and Maryland have claimed that Trump’s hotels are harming hotels and other businesses partially owned by the governments.
The attorney generals had been trying to gather financial information regarding both the Trump Organization and President Trump himself. Now, the court ruling will make it more difficult for state-level governments to challenge the president’s business interests. Speaking on the ruling, Trump tweeted:
“Word just out that I won a big part of the Deep State and Democrat induced Witch Hunt. Unanimous decision in my favor from The United States Court of Appeals For The Fourth Circuit on the ridiculous Emoluments Case. I don’t make money, but lose a fortune for the honor of serving and doing a great job as your President (including accepting Zero salary!)”
However, Democrats in the House and Senate are continuing to examine Trump’s business interests. So far, Democrats have issued 37 different subpoenas, with some of them directed at the Trump Organization. Democrats have set a July 29 deadline. A federal judge had previously ruled that Democrats could proceed with legal discovery.
President Trump broke precedence by not divesting fully from his business interests. Trump instead put his assets in a trust and handed over the reins at the Trump Organization to his two adult sons. Many Democrats and other critics claim that President Trump’s business interests could lead to violations of the emoluments clause, which forbids U.S. presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments and individuals.
