Sarbanes Statement on Latest Developments in Emoluments Lawsuit Against President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte rejected President Trump's attempt to halt a lawsuit accusing him of violating the U.S. Constitution by maintaining a personal financial interest in the Trump International Hotel in Washington:

"Today's development in The District of Columbia and The State of Maryland v. Donald J. Trump is a victory for the American people, for the framers of our Constitution and for anti-corruption advocates everywhere. The public deserves a president who puts the public interest first, not a president motivated by personal profit or by currying favor with domestic powers and foreign governments. President Trump violated this standard from the moment he took office by retaining his stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington and by maintaining other Trump Organization assets around the world. This conduct is beneath the dignity of the Presidency – and it violates our Constitution. Today's decision brings us one step closer to preventing President Trump from continuing to profit off the Presidency."

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