'It’s an insult': Ethics experts unimpressed by Trump Org's promise
The Trump Organization has put in place an ethics policy that will supposedly prevent conflicts of interest when President-elect Donald Trump takes office — but ethics experts aren't buying it, reported The Washington Post.
“The Trump Organization is dedicated to not just meeting but vastly exceeding its legal and ethical obligations during my father’s Presidency,” said Eric Trump, who serves as the business' executive vice president. “As a reflection of this commitment, just like during my father’s first term in office, we have not only implemented a series of robust ethical standards, but also appointed one of the most respected attorneys in the country to guide our company while my father serves to make America great again.”
Among the pledges made by the organization is they will not enter new agreements with foreign governments, not involve the president with the management of the business, and donate any proceeds spent by foreign governments at Trump properties to the U.S. Treasury.
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But experts don't believe these rules, which mirror what the Trump Organization adopted last time Trump was president, will be adequate.
“They’re arguing they won’t have new transactions with foreign governments but that’s not the standard,” said George W. Bush administration ethics lawyer Richard Painter. “The standard is that once he’s president he can’t receive any profits or benefits from foreign governments” — as outlined by the Constitution's Emoluments Clause. Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, agreed, saying, “It’s an insult to the very notion of government ethics. Trump needs to divest his conflicting financial interests. That’s the only meaningful step he could take.”
All of this comes as the Trump Organization moves to buy back their infamous hotel in Washington, D.C., which was a magnet for spending by foreign dignitaries and became an ethical minefield. It also comes as Trump raised eyebrows by getting exemptions from his own transition team's ethics guidelines.