Chris Coons: Trump Divest Money Interests
on Tuesday, December 27, 2016Senator Chris Coons of Delaware Quote saying democrats have introduced a bill which insists Trump divest of his financial holdings to avoid risks of conflict of interest as defined by emoluments clause of constitution. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said:
“Congress must act promptly to pass this legislation that will require the President to divest their financial interests and place the proceeds in a blind trust. The presidency is a full-time job with only one client: the American people” — Chris Coons
Senator Chris Coons is arguing that President Trump should divest from his financial holdings and business interests and place them in a blind trust in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest between his personal financial interests and his duties as President. Coons introduced legislation that would require the President to do this.
In the quote, Coons states that the presidency is a full-time job and the President’s only client should be the American people, not his own businesses or financial interests.
So the quote supports the interpretation that Coons believes the Emoluments Clause requires the President to divest and avoid mixing his private interests with his public duties as leader of the country.