US Court reviews case against Trump on constitutional clause

The Court of Appeals of this capital will hear oral arguments today about whether members of Congress can sue US President Donald Trump for alleged emoluments violations.

The Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution prohibits elected officials from receiving gifts or benefits from foreign governments without the approval of members of the Capitol, in order to prevent the country's leaders from being unduly influenced.

This Monday's hearing will take place as lawyers who challenge the private business of the Republican president maintain that the continuous revelations about his properties reinforce the claim that he is benefiting illegally through transactions with foreign governments.

According to The Washington Post, those who promote the case presented new legal documents on the claim of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he stayed at a Trump hotel in New York before taking office in the European country.

They also mentioned the intention of the Executive to organize in 2020 the G-7 summit at the Trump golf course in Doral, Florida, an idea that was dismissed after the many criticisms received by the president.

The case that will be considered on Monday, as well as another on the subject to be assessed on Thursday in Richmond, Virginia, and a third party raised in New York, could also refer to recent reports that the Secret Service spent more than $250,000 at Trump properties.

According to the Post, lawyers representing more than 200 Democratic lawmakers will request the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit enforce the constitutional provision whereby the president is required to obtain the consent of Congress before accepting payments from foreign governments.

For their part, lawyers of the Department of Justice argue that individual members of Congress have no legal right to file a lawsuit for an alleged injury to the entire legislative body.

This matter reaches the Court of Appeals after Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan of this capital cleared the way for lawmakers to issue 37 subpoenas seeking financial information, interviews and other records, including those related to Trump Tower, in New York, and the Mar-a-Lago Club resort in Florida.

rly/cg/ef/mem/mar

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