House Democrats have accused former President Donald Trump of overcharging Secret Service agents who were protecting him and his family for rooms at his hotel in Washington. The report obtained by NBC News alleges that Trump also benefited from foreign and domestic officials who paid for rooms at the Trump International Hotel in D.C., including those seeking jobs in his administration or pardons from him. The investigation was part of a larger probe into Trump’s financial benefits while in office and accusations that he used his position to enrich himself at taxpayer expense.
The report, which focused on an 11-month period from September 2017 to August 2018, revealed that the Trump Corporation raised prices for rooms provided to the Secret Service, sometimes up to 300% more than the government-approved rate. It also noted that individuals such as U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, state governors, and others stayed at the hotel during this time, spending a total of $300,000 that Democrats argue violates the emoluments clause of the Constitution.
It was also found that individuals Trump appointed to ambassador positions, federal judgeships, and other roles stayed at the hotel, including a pardon seeker and ex-husband of Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. While the report did not suggest a direct penalty for Trump, it called for legislation to define clear penalties for public officials who violate the emoluments clause.
Democrats believe that the findings show the need for stronger enforcement of anti-corruption laws to ensure that government officials prioritize the public interest over personal gain. The report also highlighted Trump’s history of testing the limits of the emoluments clause and called for Congress to take action to prevent such unethical behavior in the future.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com