Greenbelt, Md.
Emoluments clause: A federal judge last week refused to delay a lawsuit accusing President Trump of violating the Constitution by doing business with foreign interests through his Washington, D.C., hotel. The case, brought by the Democratic attorneys general of Washington and Maryland, claims that foreign leaders try to curry favor with the president by staying at the Trump International Hotel, just blocks from the White House. Judge Peter Messitte ruled previously that these transactions might violate the Constitution’s emoluments clause. The plaintiffs can now proceed with discovery, reviewing documents and possibly demanding Trump turn over tax returns. The Justice Department said the lawsuit is too time-consuming for Trump, which Messitte wryly rebuffed, citing tweets from Trump daring people such as former CIA Director John Brennan to sue him. Trump’s attorneys want to delay the case until he is out of office, and plan to appeal the ruling.