A new report from House Democrats alleges that former President Donald Trump overcharged Secret Service agents for rooms at his Washington hotel while he was in office. The report also accuses Trump of benefiting from foreign and domestic officials, including those seeking jobs or pardons from him, who paid for rooms at the hotel. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to the allegations. The report is based on spending records from the hotel over an 11-month period during Trump’s presidency and highlights instances where the Secret Service paid significantly more for rooms than other guests. It also details payments from various government officials and individuals connected to Trump’s administration. The investigation found over $300,000 in payments that Democrats argue violate the Constitution’s emoluments clause, which prohibits the president from receiving compensation from foreign or domestic governments. While the report does not provide a direct penalty for Trump, it calls for Congress to create legislation that clearly defines consequences for violating the clause. Trump has faced multiple lawsuits over his business dealings while in office, and the courts have rejected them for various reasons. The report emphasizes the need for stronger anti-corruption measures to prevent future presidents from using their office for personal gain.
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