Starting in 2017, America has the opportunity to test this theory at the highest possible level of both politics and wealth. Donald Trump will take office on January 20th, and leave his long career as a real-estate developer and resort mogul behind. Or more accurately, Trump will leave some of it behind – and that’s where the problems begin.
It has become customary for presidents to put their assets into a blind trust or other hands-off financial structure after first liquidating significant assets that might present a conflict of interest. Federal law requires executive branch officials to use blind trusts, but the separation-of-powers doctrine makes the applicability to the president and vice-president questionable at best. Still, those occupying the highest office have found it politically appropriate, at the very least, to put their personal financial interests at arms’ length from their policy decisions. …
Trump says he wants to “drain the swamp” and make dramatic changes in the way Washington does business. That’s precisely why Trump will need to put his interests into a blind trust – to protect himself from the potential backlash. If Trump alienates enough voters and members of Congress with his policies, those conflicts of interest will offer a very handy excuse to push for impeachment under the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.
Voters gave Trump the presidency – but they don’t want Trump to give them the business. Trump has to choose whether he wants to be a mogul or be a president, and he needs to make that choice now.
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