Judge Rules Congress Should Do Something About Trump

Two cases which had been filed against Donald Trump for violations of the emoluments clause of the Constitution, accusing him of benefitting from foreign gifts while holding public office, have been dismissed. Josh Gerstein at Politico reports:

U.S. District Court Judge George Daniels ruled that the two suits were fatally flawed because the plaintiffs failed to show injury directly related to the use of Trump's properties by foreign officials and governments.

Daniels, who sits in Manhattan and is an appointee of President Bill Clinton, also said the issue was one that Congress should police, not the courts.

"As the only political branch with the power to consent to violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause, Congress is the appropriate body to determine whether, and to what extent, Defendant's conduct unlawfully infringes on that power," the judge wrote. "If Congress determines that an infringement has occurred, it is up to Congress to decide whether to challenge or acquiesce to Defendant's conduct. As such, this case presents a non-justiciable political question."

Daniels can tell Congress to do something all day long, but they're not going to do it.

One of the cases dismissed Thursday was filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, along with a group of employees and owners of hospitality businesses like restaurant and hotels. The other suit, brought as a class action on behalf of members of the public, was filed by an individual New York attorney, William Weinstein.

Daniels concluded that all the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue.

This was a bad decision. Frankly, every citizen of this country who believes the Constitution should still mean something should have "standing" to bring an emoluments violation case, as we've all got something to lose. https://t.co/3PYflF6kyn

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) December 21, 2017

Of course, the only thing we stand to lose is our country, nothing with a dollar amount, so who cares.

*jumps into Christmas tree*