Trump's conflicts pose a threat to national security: do something about it

Trump's conflicts pose a threat to national security: do something about it
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Not so long ago, Republicans were obsessed with impeaching President Obama. A few years before that, then-Representatives Kucinich and Wexler went so far as to introduce 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush in the U.S. House of Representatives (it was defeated on the floor). Way back in 1998, the House approved two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, charging him with lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice (which were defeated in the Senate a few months later).

A depiction of the 1868 impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson. The Senate's vote on the 11th Article of Impeachment fell one vote short of the twothirds majority needed to impeach Johnson. Two other articles were later defeated.

A depiction of the 1868 impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson. The Senate's vote on the 11th Article of Impeachment fell one vote short of the twothirds majority needed to impeach Johnson. Two other articles were later defeated.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Why bring up impeachment less than a week into a new presidential administration? Because Donald Trump’s conflicts of interest endanger the security of the United States. One would think that that qualifies as an example of the “High Crime and Misdemeanor” standard Article II sets forth as impeachable offenses.

In today’s world of “Alternative Facts”, one thing can be said with near certainty: the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is likely in violation of the very same Constitution he swore to “preserve, protect and defend”. By continuing his involvement with his business, Trump is seemingly ignoring the Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9). Which means Trump will have been committing an impeachable offense since he took the oath (handy reference clock here).

Now, some of you may be thinking “If wishing made it so…”, and you’d be right. There are a number of steps that need to be taken before anything in the realm of impeachment is even a mildly credible option. Trump should be given every chance to divest and remove himself from even a whiff of conflict of interest.

Some steps already in the works, like the bi-partisan law suit filed by Norm Eisen (Obama ethics czar), Richard Painter (Bush ethics czar), Laurence Tribe (Constitutional scholar) and others. There is a strong possibility that won’t see the light of day and although there are other law suits in the works, this remains a dubious route to get Trump to entirely divest. The next option is the bill proposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) that would require President Trump to disclose and eliminate any and all financial conflicts. Should that not get a vote on floor, then impeachment can become an option.

Despite, some noble attempts by media organizations, there is not a complete picture of the ownership structure of the Trump Organization, let alone who owns the debt (remember he’s declared bankruptcy four times and Wall Street banks do not like to do business with him, so the money is coming from somewhere). We know he owns properties, leases his name (for payment) around the world (useful dossiers here, here and here) and every single one of those properties has his name in bright lights, or tacky gold-plate as is the case with Trump.

4DPAC
4DPAC

I’ve personally heard from three separate people involved in the real estate industry who have done business with Trump that there were always several representatives of foreign business partners (whether they represented private businesses or governments is unclear) present when deals were being discussed.

Each of the buildings now pose a new target for someone wanting to harm the United States. What’s worse, now we cannot be sure a reprisal action by the Trump administration is being done for his (and his business’) own benefit or for the benefit of the country. That’s not a good mindset for a citizen or more strikingly for a person in uniform following the orders of the Commander-in-Chief.

On his first day as Secretary of Defense, former Marine General James “Mad Dog” Mattis issued a memo to the entire Department of Defense Staff. The 25 words of the penultimate sentence are worth focusing on, in entirety:

“Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people.”.

Unfortunately, due to the myriad conflicts of interest and buildings around the world with his name in big letters, President Trump is ensuring that money that should be dedicated to our national security and his own goal of eradicating “radical Islamic terrorism” “completely from the face of the Earth” will be spent protecting brand new terrorist targets all over the globe.

President Trump is wasting your money. He’s putting American lives at risk. He’s violating the Constitution.

During the campaign, much attention was paid to the possibility of the Clinton Foundation posing a conflict of interest for Hillary Clinton. That was all hypothetical and while it certainly stank, there was no evidence of anything illegal. It is stupefying that the same people screaming about Hillary are totally ignoring the blatant disregard for Trump very obvious and ongoing conflicts. Where is Jason Chaffetz when you actually need him?

What can you, as a concerned citizen do? You can call your representatives in Washington and demand they formally investigate President Trump’s conflicts of interest. You can sign the #PutUSFirst petition to target vulnerable Republicans and demand Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) allow a vote on Senator Warren’s bill. Most of all you can stay engaged, get smart on facts and do whatever you can to not let this issue be overlooked. Our national security is too important.

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