Johnson raises questions about Trump hotel lease

Johnson raises questions about Trump hotel lease

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., challenged the Trump International Hotel's lease of space at the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C., this week, raising questions about whether it could lead to a violation of the Constitution's Foreign Emoluments clause.

The hotel is run by the president's sons, but Johnson argued that the commander-in-chief could still benefit from gifts from foreign leaders who stay at the hotel with his interest being held in trust as long as he is president. The congressman questioned General Services Administration's Acting Administrator, Tim Horne, about the arrangement during a hearing.

Johnson also argued that Trump, as president, is the building's landlord and that the hotel that bears his family's name would therefore be his tenant.

"A benefit delayed is not a benefit denied," Johnson said. "It is clear that no matter how many Russian nesting dolls President Trump may utilize to attempt to conceal his improprieties, it remains inescapable that President Trump is still gaining a significant benefit by doing business with the GSA, an agency he controls — an agency that he is supposed to be leading on behalf of the American taxpayer."