Norm Eisen: President’s Conflicts Scandal

Posted by admin on Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Norm Eisen the former top ethics adviser to President Barack Obama Money Quote saying that Trump is breaking the law and flaunting the emoluments clause of the constitution by not divesting of his business and financial interests. Norm Eisen said:
 

 

“Normally, the fact that a foreign agent, a registered foreign agent was paying money to the President of the United States, would create blaring headlines around the world, but so vast and scandalous are the President’s conflicts of interest that it hardly raises an eyebrow” — Norm Eisen

 

“No Person holding any Office of Profit of Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept any pre-sent, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State”
– U.S. Constitution: Art. I, Sec. 9, Clause 8

 

Norman Eisen is arguing that it would normally be a huge scandal if a foreign agent was paying money to the U.S. President. However, in the case of President Trump, his conflicts of interest through his business entanglements are so extensive that payments from foreign agents hardly get noticed anymore.

By saying Trump’s conflicts are “so vast and scandalous”, Eisen is asserting that the President has not properly divested or separated himself from his financial interests as required by the Emoluments Clause.

In Eisen’s view, the Clause is intended to prevent foreign payments or benefits from influencing the President or distracting from important oversight of foreign relationships.

Norman Eisen: Trump Hotel Emoluments

Posted by admin on Saturday, January 14, 2017

Norman Eisen Money Quote as former chief White House ethics lawyer for President Obama acknowledging Trump Hotel profits have been resolved emoluments clause concerns based on plan put forward by Trump ethics lawyers – but no other aspect of his businesses are included. Norman Eisen said:
 

 

“The emoluments clause is not written to say that all emoluments are permitted except for Trump hotel profits” — Norman Eisen

 

 

Norman Eisen is arguing that the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution should not be interpreted narrowly as only prohibiting profits from Trump’s hotel business.

Eisen believes the clause more broadly prohibits the President from receiving any emoluments, which traditionally have been defined as profits, gains, or advantages of any kind from foreign states.

By saying the clause is “not written” to only ban Trump hotel profits, Eisen is asserting that the President is barred from receiving emoluments through any part of his business empire that could be influenced by foreign governments, not just one hotel.