A recipe for scandal: Trump conflicts of interest point to constitutional crisis (Great Article!)

[Equinox Moon]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/27/donald-trump-conflicts-interest-constitutional-crisis

Constitutional lawyers and White House ethics counselors from Democratic and Republican administrations have warned Donald Trump his presidency might be blocked by the electoral college if he does not give up ownership of at least some of his business empire.

“It clearly degrades the presidency,” said Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and president of the Eurasia Group, a global political risk research and consulting firm.

“It is going to undermine the legitimacy of the US around the world. Soft power has been about being able to project values. That already took a hit. It really comes to an end with this election.”

“The most fundamental conflict clause in the US constitution is the prohibition on emoluments on payments, presents or other things of value being given to American political officials including the president.”

Eisen, now a fellow at the Brookings Institution, added: “Because of [Trump’s] international investments he gets these payments, presents and things of value and he’ll be in violation of the constitution by the moment he takes the oath of office.”

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Long article, great read! Full of information regarding massive conflict of interest, his entire presidency would be dogged by constant scandal and hearings, if he makes it that far.

[roamer65]

1. Impeachment and removal.

[shraby]

2. If he makes it into office at all.

[progressoid]

4. Then we get Pence?

The GOP run House and Senate would partner with Pence to turn us back to the 1930's.

No thanks.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Nothing I have seen or heard about him shows he will back down an inch.

In fact, he will relish all sorts of messy conflict about this and many other issues. He thrives on it.
Problem is, even when he loses, HE does not accept that.
The man leaves a lot of destruction in his wake and appears oblivious to it all. HIS world view is what he wants it to be at any given minute, unhinged from what others agree is reality.
damnest thing I ever saw.

[Equinox Moon]

13. Yes! He feeds on chaos.

[DFW]

5. The radical right doesn't want Trump. They want Pence.

They'll quietly rub their hands in glee as they publicly wail and moan about "having no other choice but to sadly vote their consciences to impeach and convict" for high crimes and misdemeanors. That way, they get the type of president they wanted all along, and that is Pence, who never would have defeated Hillary on his own. Look how his soulmates fared in the Republican primaries, which is dismally. Trump, on the other hand, will fight it tooth and nail because he doesn't understand what the big deal is.

[LittleGirl]

6. ugh, yes

as an escaped hoosier, yes, they want pence which in my eyes, is much worse than trump. trump will likely tear down the states and pence would go in for the kill with his 2000 yr old bible.

[Hekate]

10. Yes indeed. And that is why they arranged for Christie to be dumped in favor of Pence....

.....when all along Trump wanted Christie to kick around.

[Equinox Moon]

12. SNL was onto this. Skit: Pence enters @4:10min

[DFW]

15. I can't view it

"Not available in your country"

Happens a lot, unfortunately

[Equinox Moon]

16. The video link is good, you might try...

rerouting your IP. If you are using the TOR browser, some country's block certain viewing. Locate the green onion (top left) and click on the drop-down arrow, then select "new identity". The screen/browser will refresh and you need to re-access DU.

Let me know if that works.

[DFW]

17. Nope.

Common affliction in Germany. It's a rights issue, and they block millions of videos from the USA

[joshdawg]

7. But, but, but,

IOKIFYAR or Drumpf. Just ask the republicans.......also known as white nationalists.

[killbotfactory]

8. And since all three branches of government going to be run by the GOP

And the republicans have just gone full fascist, and were rewarded by our electoral system for it... yeah, I'm sure they're going to do a lot to combat corruption.

[Hekate]

9. My belief is that the Electors are so partisan they will not budge from casting their votes for ...

...those that sent them. I refer to the Republicans, of course. We've already had three " Dems " who don't feel obliged to vote for Hillary iirc.

If it gets thrown to the House, as the Constitution requires, we already know how it will go.

Nonetheless I am SO glad for the recount efforts.

[Cracklin Charlie]

11. Kick

[MineralMan]

14. That will not change the Electoral College vote.

It simply will not. That vote is political in nature and will be taken based on state election results.

If his takings from conflicts of interest continue after he is in office, then that could be cause for impeachment, but I don't believe the Republican House would take that step. Not for a minute.

There is no doubt that there are conflicts of interest, but the likelihood that they will keep him out of office or remove him from that office is near zero.

More's the pity.