Barbara Lee and members of Congress file a lawsuit against President Trump

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California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, along with almost 200 other members of Congress, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald Trump for violating the “Foreign Emoluments Clause” of the United States Constitution (Article 1, Section 9, Clause 8).

“No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.”

Congresswoman Lee said, “Since Donald Trump became president, foreign governments have approved Trump trademarks, many of which were previously denied or stalled in court. They have paid to stay at Trump hotels, and are currently leasing space at Trump properties. This is a clear violation of the Constitution. I am proud to file this suit along with my colleagues to shield our government from corruption and to uphold the Constitution.”

In her press release Lee said that in the week after the lawsuit was filed the Trump business empire, which the president never divested himself from, has received new trademarks in China and is brokering business deals in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East, even while tensions their escalate.

From the moment President Trump announced his candidacy two years ago until now, he has thumbed his nose at long-standing conventions and laws pertaining to candidates and elected government employees. Congresswoman Lee and her fellow complainants would like to put an end to the president’s alleged illegal activities.