Court Dismisses Absurd Emoluments Clause Lawsuit Against Trump

The Trump organization (not Trump) getting paid fair market value for hotel rooms is an illegal "emolument," you see, but the Clintons raking in millions for foreign governments -- when Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State -- isn't.

Okay.*

President was sued by Democratic attorneys general of Maryland and D.C.

Claimed he was violating the Constitution by accepting hotel business from foreign countries

Three-judge appeals court panel ruled that the AGs lacked jurisdiction to sue; all three were Republican appointees

They didn't rule on the merits of the case, but the Trump Organization writes annual checks to the Treasury to disgorge its foreign government profits

Trump took a victory lap and proclaimed the case was a product of the 'Deep State'; one more lawsuit continues, filed by hundreds of Democratic lawmakers

* Just a quick point for those who say the Clintons didn't personally benefit from the Foundation:

Well, one, they also collected personal political donations.

But two, what do you do with money? You buy convenience and status.

The Clinton Foundation supplied Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea with:

1) Private offices is luxe buidlings

2) Full-time staffs of assistants and drivers -- I think two of them had a Foundation-paid staff of five, and one had six on the staff.

3) Transportation and hotel costs for what is, essentially, their business.

Now, if I were running something resembling a successful business, I'd like to pay a staff too. And I'd like an assistant. And a researcher. And a driver.

And a luxe office. And all hotel and transport costs paid.

And someone to pretend he's me and post for me all day. But I digress.

If I had a "charitable donation" and said, "But I'm not taking money, all I'm taking is a series of paid benefits and full-time personnel which only rich people or CEOs at major corporations can afford," what would everyone say?

You think people might notice that my benefits from this alleged charity are things that all people want but which usually costs $500,000+ per year (or more) so they just can't afford it?

If I started a "charity" that didn't pay me money but did pay for my food and mortgage and all other expenses -- including personal assistants, a scheduler, a driver, and why not, a maid, too -- um, that is paying me money, albeit in an ever-so-slightly disguised manner.

"Not personally benefiting?" No, of course not. Not unless you count a full-time staff of five or six personal servants to be a "benefit."

Which, by the way -- everyone does.

posted by Ace of Spades at 05:26 PM

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