Richard Painter, Chief Ethics Counsel for George W. Bush, and Norman
Eisen, Chief Ethics Counsel for Barack Obama, believe that if Trump
continues to retain ownership over his global business interests by the
time the electors meet on December 19, they should reject him.
As Eisen explains, “the founders did not want any foreign payments to the president. Period.” This principle is enshrined in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, which bars office holders from accepting “any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.” The provision was created to prevent the President from being corrupted by foreign influences.
As Eisen explains, “the founders did not want any foreign payments to the president. Period.” This principle is enshrined in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, which bars office holders from accepting “any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.” The provision was created to prevent the President from being corrupted by foreign influences.
Painter agrees. “I don’t think the Electoral College can vote for
someone to become president if he’s going to be in violation of the
Constitution on day one and hasn’t assured us he’s not in violation.”
Painter says his attempts to warn the Trump transition of the legal
consequences of Trump’s continued ownership of his business interests
are being ignored.
Trump doesn’t release his tax returns. He won’t put his foreign business holdings into a blind trust. His children sit in on private meetings with foreign leaders. If the 538 Electors vote for Trump on December 19, in the absence of a complete divestment of his business interests, they will abdicate their solemn duties under the Constitution.
What do you think? ~ Robert Reich
Trump doesn’t release his tax returns. He won’t put his foreign business holdings into a blind trust. His children sit in on private meetings with foreign leaders. If the 538 Electors vote for Trump on December 19, in the absence of a complete divestment of his business interests, they will abdicate their solemn duties under the Constitution.
What do you think? ~ Robert Reich
