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Unique role of Trump's children could be conflict of interest
| New York Daily News | - |
Donald
Trump appointed his children as both the "blind trustees" of his
businesses and as an integral part of his transition team.
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Experts see possible conflict of interest in Trump's children heading up international business dealings and transition team
Donald Trump appointed his children as both the "blind trustees" of his businesses and as an integral part of his transition team.
(Richard Drew/AP)In an effort to diminish the perception of a conflict, Trump has promised to hand the reigns of his Trump Organization empire to his three oldest children—Ivanka, Donald, Jr., and Eric—in the form of a “blind trust,” or independent stakeholder.
The blind trust would prohibit Trump from being aware of his business activities in order to prevent a conflict with his responsibilities in the White House.
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“They’ll be responsible for appointing people to regulate businesses,” Kenneth Gross, an ethics lawyer based in Washington D.C. told the Daily News. “It’s a signal in the direction that a strict separation may not be there which I think is important because the potential conflicts between his business holdings and governmental functions are unprecedented in their breadth and depth,” he said.
Conflicts could arise with Trump’s business ties to countries with strained relations with the U.S., like China or Russia, experts say. Trump has taken loans from the Bank of China, for example, which is controlled by the Chinese government.
“You could conjure up a whole bunch of scenarios in which China would try to sweeten the post with Trump,” Ross said.
Experts say Trump could tread into unconstitutional territory if his enterprises dealings with foreign governments or government-run businesses are so profitable as to be considered a “gift.”
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The emolument clause of the constitution prohibits presidents from receiving gifts from foreign governments that could influence their diplomatic relations.
“That’s a trap he’ll have to be very careful about not falling into,” Richard Painter, a University of Minnesota professor and former chief White House Ethics lawyer under President Bush told the Daily News.
Painter said that the Democrats could decide to investigate Trump’s business dealings if they suspect a violation of the clause.
“His business dealings are low-hanging fruit. If they suspect there’s a violation, they’ll investigate like crazy, just like the Republicans did with the email server,” Painter told the News.
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Trump will face other unprecedented complications while in office, like the numerous lawsuits entangling the businessman.
He is set to appear in court on Nov. 28 in San Diego, Calif. as a defendant in a civil suit filed by begrudged customers of his scandal-riddled Trump University.
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