Foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump's business

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How foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump’s business -- by @McClatchyDC

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Foreign governments are finding ways to do favors for Trump’s business

BY ANITA KUMAR

akumar@mcclatchydc.com

JANUARY 02, 2018 02:00 AM

WASHINGTON -- In Indonesia, a local government plans to build a road to shorten the drive between the main airport on the island of Bali and the new high-end Trump resort and golf course.

In Panama, the country’s federal government intervened to ensure a sewer system around a 70-story Trump skyscraper shaped like a sail in Panama City would be completed.

And in other countries, governments have donated public land, approved permits and eased environmental regulations for Trump-branded developments, creating a slew of potential conflicts as foreign leaders make investments that can be seen as gifts or attempts to gain access to the American president through his sprawling business empire.

The White House dismisses these concerns, as does the Trump Organization’s attorney. But when foreign governments that provide gifts to the Trump Organization, even those that benefit other businesses, it puts President Donald Trump in possible violation of the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clause that states officials may not accept gifts from foreign governments and that no benefit should be derived by holding office.
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Anita Kumar: 202-383-6017, @anitakumar01