Arguments begin in emoluments suit against Trump

[DonViejo]

Last edited Thu Jan 25, 2018, 08:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: The Washington Post



By David A. Fahrenthold and Jonathan O'Connell January 25 at 2:39 PM

A federal judge on Thursday appeared skeptical of an effort by the Justice Department to throw out a lawsuit against President Trump alleging his company’s business with state governments and foreign countries violates the Constitution.

U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte seemed receptive to arguments from the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, who said that payments to Trump properties from those entities could amount to illegal gifts.

The Justice Department, which is defending Trump, called the suit politically motivated and said the Democratic attorneys general wanted to conduct a “fishing expedition” in the private files of the president’s business. The department’s lawyers also argued that the District and Maryland lacked standing to sue Trump in the first place because they wouldn’t suffer any specific injury.

But Messitte repeatedly challenged the Justice Department’s assertions, giving the plaintiffs the impression that the judge would rule in their favor.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/arguments-begin-in-emoluments-suit-against-trump/2018/01/25/c73809de-015a-11e8-9d31-d72cf78dbeee_story.html

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Oh, yes, it's all in doubt

"raised questions about whether his loyalty could be bought"

[trof]

4. R-i-i-i-i-i-ght.

[dae]

2. Flip a coin

just make sure both sides are identical, preferably an “ass”.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Trump started his time in office by lying before God with his hand on the Bible.

Under Oath? Not a problem for Donald

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Trump started his time in office by lying before God with his hand on the Bible.

He swore to uphold the Constitution and immediately broke that oath.

emoluments

[BigmanPigman]

5. "GOP Justice" is an oxymoron like "jumbo shrimp".

How can the Justice Dept, which is controlled by the GOP and whose main function is to PROTECT the fucking moron, ever be considered "just and fair"? They are getting richer off of this admin and with primaries coming up and the economy looking good they want to please their country club voters back home.

[BobTheSubgenius]

6. I very much regret that the people have to pay for his defense.

I would far rather see him have to dig into his own pocket to defend his own actions. Still...I guess if it wasn't "the people" paying for it, it would be "some people," wouldn't it?

[FakeNoose]

7. First he should forfeit ownership of the Trump DC hotel

It's completely illegal for him to own that hotel, or to even have his name on it. Secondly he needs to follow through on his campaign promises and divide the management duties of the Trump properties among his children, and DIVEST HIMSELF of everything. Thirdly he needs to stop using government expense money to spend time & play golf at his own properties such as Mar-A-Lago and the other resorts. We are footing the bill for every weekend he spends at this own properties. Ridiculous!

[Honeycombe8]

8. It's an uphill battle. But you never know. It's a legit lawsuit. nt