Trump Sued For "Unprecedented Constitutional Violations" By D.C. And Maryland
Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump on Monday.
The lawsuit, obtained by The Washington Post on Sunday night, alleges Trump has committed "unprecedented constitutional violations."
Racine and Frosh accuse Trump of violating anti-corruption clauses in the Constitution by failing to properly distance himself from his business empire and accepting millions in payments and benefits from foreign governments since becoming president.
This is linked to the fact Trump maintained ownership of his company after entering the White House.
The lawsuit states,
President Trump's continued ownership interest in a global business empire, which renders him deeply enmeshed with a legion of foreign and domestic government actors, violates the Constitution and calls into question the rule of law and the integrity of the country's political system.
Racine and Frosh contend Trump's actions "threaten the free and independent self-governance at the core of our democracy."
The lawsuit alleges that Trump International Hotel in D.C. has taken customers away from businesses in Maryland and the capital.
Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait have stayed at the hotel or held events there since Trump's inauguration.
Racine and Frosh argue Trump has unfairly used his position as president to increase patronage of his family's hotels and restaurants.
If the case moves forward, Racine and Frosh will demand Trump release his tax returns, which he has controversially refused to do so far.
This process could end up going all the way to the Supreme Court, where Trump's attorneys would have to argue why he should be allowed to keep the returns private, according to what Racine and Frosh told the Post.
When it comes down to it, this lawsuit is about whether or not President Trump is making decisions based on what benefits the country or his businesses.
