From Common Cause |
Posted By: Common Cause (campaign leader)
Last week Donald Trump told the New York Times "the president can't
have a conflict of interest." Ringing in my ears was Richard Nixon telling journalist David Frost "when the president does it, that means it is not illegal."
have a conflict of interest." Ringing in my ears was Richard Nixon telling journalist David Frost "when the president does it, that means it is not illegal."
Nearly every president in modern times has set up a "blind trust" to
avoid financial conflicts of interest. Trump's proposed solution is to put his children in charge of his company -- not even close to the same thing. Especially when he is inviting these children to sit in on meeting with foreign leaders. Already we've seen Trump argue for policies that could enrich him, like opposing offshore wind farms in Scotland that might disrupt the view of his golf course -- among many others.
avoid financial conflicts of interest. Trump's proposed solution is to put his children in charge of his company -- not even close to the same thing. Especially when he is inviting these children to sit in on meeting with foreign leaders. Already we've seen Trump argue for policies that could enrich him, like opposing offshore wind farms in Scotland that might disrupt the view of his golf course -- among many others.
The New York Times interview, and his own tweets, show that persistent questioning about his financial conflicts of interest are causing Trump to become defensive about them. Good. He should be.
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