The conflict of interest on Trump's immigration ban
According to reports, President Trump is set to sign an executive order which would suspend all entries to the United States from 7 Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East. His proposed list, however, does not include Muslim-majority countries where Trump Organization has done business or pursued potential deals. Amongst those are United Arab Emirates with golf course properties and Turkey with two luxury towers.
Trump hands over control of business empire to sons
Trump said he has formally given his sons Donald Jr and Eric "complete and total" control over his business empire to prevent conflicts of interest. Trump's lawyer confirmed that he had "isolated" himself from his businesses. However, the Office of Government Ethics said Trump's plans don't "meet the standards" of previous presidents. It said Trump must "divest his conflicting assets" to resolve potential conflicts.
Ethics lawyers to sue Trump over foreign payments to businesses
A group of ethics lawyers are planning to sue President Donald Trump for allegedly violating the US Constitution by allowing his businesses to accept payments from foreign governments. The lawsuit alleges that the violations occurred because the president hasn't divested his interests in the Trump organization. The suit is expected to be the first of several by advocacy groups against Trump.
What the Constitution states
The Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution states: "no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust ... 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."
What the lawsuit lists as violations
The lawsuit lists leases held by foreign-government-owned entities in New York City's Trump Tower, bookings made at the Washington, DC's Trump International Hotel. Payments received in relation to "The Apprentice" and various other establishments owned or licensed by Trump from foreign-government-owned broadcasters. The nonprofit Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is seeking a court order forbidding Trump from accepting such payments.
Son Eric Trump calls lawsuit "harassment"
The White House responded to the news saying, "the president has no conflicts." Trump's son Eric Trump, who is also the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, said the company has taken more than required lawful steps to provide any legal exposure. He said the lawsuit is "is purely harassment for political gain."
Eric Trump : Profits from foreign governments will be donated
Eric Trump said the Trump Organization has agreed to donate any profits coming from foreign government guests at the Trump-owned hotels to the US Treasury to ensure the Constitution is not violated.
President Trump resigns from Trump Organization
According to a statement released by White House spokesperson Sean Spicer, United States President Donald Trump on Monday resigned from the Trump Organization. His sons Don Jr. and Eric Trump will now be in charge of the business. At a news briefing, Spicer said, "He has resigned from his company, as he said he would before he took his office."
Trump Hotels plan US expansion
Chief Executive Officer of Trump Hotels Eric Danziger has suggested an ambitious expansion of the company across the United States. After a panel discussion at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles, Danziger said, "There are 26 major metropolitan areas in the US, and we're in five. I don't see any reason that we couldn't be in all of them eventually."
