GSA ‘Ignored’ Constitution on Trump D.C. Hotel, Watchdog Finds
- Inspector general says attorneys knew of legal obstacles
- One attorney told investigators they decided to ‘punt’ issue
A pedestrian walks past the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., U.S, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.
Photographer: Alex Edelman/BloombergThe U.S. General Services Administration ignored a constitutional ban on extra government benefits to the president when it allowed Donald Trump to continue leasing federal property for his luxury hotel in Washington, the agency’s watchdog said Wednesday.
GSA officials knew Trump’s ultimate ownership of the hotel -- which sits on federal property -- potentially violated a provision of the lease with the government, the GSA inspector general concluded in a report. It also may have violated two clauses in the Constitution prohibiting “emoluments” to the president from foreign governments and also from federal or state government agencies. Emoluments are payments or presents.