No TRUMP Act Introduced To Cut Spending After Blatant Disregard For Constitution (TWEETS)

Tradition states that presidents put their assets in a blind trust in order to avoid conflicts of interest. In the U.S. Constitution, the Emoluments Clause bars officeholders from taking gifts from foreign leaders.

You know, that thing that President Trump keeps taking because of his conflicts of interest.

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution states this:

“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”

This exact statement is why the blind trust is highly urged by people who take office as President.

And yet, Trump is still gallivanting around, benefiting monetarily from his position as President.

But, Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) has introduced something that can completely change the game.

It’s called the “No TRUMP Act,” or “The No Taxpayer Revenue Used to Monetize the Presidency Act.” This act, if passed, would prevent taxpayer money from be used to pay for Trump’s luxuries.  If he owns it, or if his relatives own it, taxpayer money wouldn’t be available to pay for it.

None of it.

Those trips to Mar-A-Lago? Done. Melania Trump continuing to live in Trump Tower? Done. His family’s business trips on the government’s dime? Done. The bill does still allow the Secret Service to protect the Trump’s family no matter where they are, but anything else (such as bills, hotel costs, and food) will be up to the Trump family to pay.

When questioned about the act, this is what Blumenauer had to say:

“Presidents should not financially benefit from holding the office. No taxpayer money should be spent at Trump hotels. Period.”

And while this act has the current President’s name on it, this act would apply to all incoming presidents from here on out.

Especially the one currently holding office.

Just this week, we watched and listened as President Trump acquired preliminary approval for over 38 specific trademarks in China. This sudden approval comes after over a decade of trying to secure them.

You know, before he was President.

Never has any administration been so hellbent on pursuing foreign conflicts of interests as Trump’s administration, and… I’m sorry, but pledging to donate profits that he might acquire from foreign governments that utilize his hotels essentially saying, “Yes, I am profiting from my conflicts of interest, but I promise to give you a cut of what I make if you’ll just let me continue doing it.”

It sounds like a toddler mafioso trying to get someone to keep a secret.

And while many people don’t feel that it will pass the Republican-controlled Congress, we are slowly starting to see Trump’s party turn on him, as is the case with the newly-released AHCA that many Republicans absolutely abhor.

At any rate, Blumenauer’s act shouldn’t even have to exist, what with the Constitution being a thing and all.

But at this point? Whatever keeps Trump in check should probably exist.

 

Featured image courtesy of Earl Blumenauer Facebook page.