A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by one of the organizations claiming that President Trump’s continued ownership of his businesses create conflicts of interest that violate the Constitution.
The judge, US District Judge George B. Daniels, also ruled that it is up to Congress to decide whether there are any valid concerns raised by foreign governments doing business with Trump’s businesses and, if so, what to do about those concerns.
The lawsuit was brought in New York by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in the first weekend of the Trump administration. Since then, a restaurant employees association and other hospitality industry-related individuals joined the lawsuit.
In the 29-page decision, however, Daniels dismissed their case — which alleged that Trump’s continued interests in his businesses are leading to violations of the Domestic and Foreign Emoluments Clauses — ruled that they lack standing to bring the lawsuit.