Further Scrutiny is needed on financial interests and conflicts 

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced a resolution to put pressure on the United States Congress to investigate whether President Donald J. Trump has violated the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution or committed any other high crime or misdemeanor sufficient to warrant commencement of impeachment proceedings.

“It is important for the City of Los Angeles to tell this president that no one is above the law and that his sole allegiance must be to our constitution and the American people,” said Blumenfield. “Every day there are new allegations about where his business holdings lie and it becomes increasingly obvious that he is financially connected to some of the most corrupt governments and institutions throughout the world.”

In short, the resolution makes concern about the president’s financial dealings an official position of the City government.

The term "emoluments" includes a broad range of financial benefits, including but not limited to monetary payments, purchase of goods and services even for fair market value, subsidies, tax breaks, extensions of credit, and favorable regulatory treatment. Per the BBC, the Trump Organization currently has business ventures in nations such as Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, India, Argentina, and Turkey.   Additionally, according to news outlets such as Forbes and Politico, his son, Eric Trump, plans to brief the president quarterly on the family business, neglecting previous statements to separate from the Trump Organization during his time in office.

Blumenfield stated, “It is the right of every American to know that their president is working for their interests and with these sorts of conflicts it is essentially impossible for Trump to not financially benefit from foreign nations. It is the duty of the Congress to put country before party and investigate any and all possible dealings that put our nation at risk.”

Recently, cities such as Richmond, CA, have gone on the record to support further investigations and even impeachment of this president.

Blumenfield’s resolution was seconded by Council President Herb Wesson and Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Nury Martinez, and Mitch O’Farrell and was referred to the Committee on Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations.

###