Known as The Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, I have to admit until Donald Trump was elected President in 2016, I hadn’t a clue as to what an emolument even was. Well, I do now. Once again, the President of the United States is committing crimes in real-time, and every day he adds to the growing, and soon to come articles of impeachment.
Yesterday, from the podium in the press room at the White House, acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney informed us that after an exhausting(my sarcastic word) search across the United States, the Trump administration has chosen Trump Doral Resort in Miami, Florida as the location for the G7 Summit in June.
According to Mulvaney, twelve other locations were considered, but none could match the greatness or convenience of The Doral. We weren’t told of what other spots were in the mix, nor did he say what criteria was used. We did hear later on that one of the places didn’t make the cut due to concerns over possible altitude sickness susceptibility.
Folks, he said this with a straight face.
While I took several law classes at Ohio University as part of my curriculum a few years back, I am not a lawyer. I never took the bar exam, and I sometimes have a hard time reading legalese contract language. Who doesn’t, right?
But when I look at the clause of the Constitution above, I can solemnly swear that I am of the utmost certainty that holding the G7 Summit at Trump’s property in Florida is indeed a violation of that clause; thus, the President has committed a crime.
I’m sure that every member of the Republican Party things the same thing. Sigh. Okay, maybe not Senator Marco Rubio of Florida: “Anytime you bring all these foreign leaders from the seven largest economies in the world to Florida, I’m going to be for it,” he said. “And a lot of people are going to benefit from it because there’s no way that the hotel can accommodate the press, staff, and other contingents that follow a summit to town.” Sigh, again.
I guess ‘Little Marco’ still fears the President.
Surprisingly though, I did see where Neil Cavuto and Judge Napolitano, over at Fox News of all places, both agreed that the President violated the Constitution. Hey, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. Occasionally even Trump TV can’t ignore the obvious crimes committed by this President.
Can we just state the obvious? A President cannot accept cash from foreign governments without the consent of Congress, and the last time I checked, the administration has not asked for that consent. And they never will.
Articles of impeachment are coming ladies and gentlemen. As Congressional Democrats move on with their inquiry, there’s a pretty good chance that this President will continue to defy the Constitution and commit more crimes as he goes along. If not, he’s already done enough to be impeached.
It appears the President has determined that perhaps his days are numbered. If so, why not do everything he can to leave our democracy in tatters? I could be wrong. I don’t think I am.
And if he is displaying a sort of quasi ‘scorched earth policy,’ the only question now becomes, how fast can the Democrats go to get rid of this guy before it’s too late?
And in case anyone is in the least bit unsure or confused, Merriam-Webster defines emolument as:
the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites
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We’re getting a daily education on our Constitution due to this president Nan. Gee, I guess that’s something we can say he’s accomplished! LOL
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Do you read Scottie’s blog? He just sent out a post with a link to a video made by a Government photographer who just got fired by the Administration … because of a photo!
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Jeff, not only is this a violation of the emoluments clause, it is plain shortsighted, and that is the kindest word I can think of. In the middle of being investigated for abuse of powers, he chooses to abuse his powers. Keith
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Brazen and open corruption. Pure and simple
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Jeff, true. A more apt description is courtesy of Neil Cavuto of Fox Business. This was “an unforced error.” Keith
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Yep, he has many of those.
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Hi Jeff! As you know by now, I am once again far behind in reading/writing/commenting/breathing, etc. So, I am just now getting to read this one. Sigh. I’m sorry. By now, of course, everything has changed, he had to walk back on this one, and naturally he blamed a) the democrats, and b) the media. Truth is, his own party finally said, “Enough!!!” and made clear they were tired of having to find ways to defend the indefensible. Plus, I imagine his many lawyers informed him that there was not a snowball’s chance in hell he wouldn’t be stopped by either Congress and/or the Courts. Still, it is yet another of the many times he has abused and tried to profit from his office. He forgets to whom he is supposed to answer. I do hope his ‘day of reckoning’ comes soon!
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Breathing!! I love that. But yes, I get it Jill. He did walk it back. Certainly not because the Dems were letting him have it. Only because R’s said no way, did he walk it back. Day of reckoning indeed…..can’t come fast enough!!
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Heh heh … Yes, I love breathing too, if only I could remember to do it more often. And sleep … sleep, they say, is good for the soul, for the mind, for the body … but, what happens when one turns out the light? The brain kicks into high gear!
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LOL….I don’t know how many times, in the middle of the night, my mind starts racing. I toss and turn, look at the clock…sigh…try to go back to sleep. Can’t do it. When I do get close to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep? It’s so awesome.
It ain’t easy being us Jill!!
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I know just the feeling! You’re probably not a smoker, but I find that some nights I smoke an entire pack while in bed! A pack of smokes, two bottles of water, a few games of Sudoku on the cell phone, and 150 pages or so of a book! That’s my night! About once a week it catches up to me, and I do sleep 8-10 hours, but then I feel groggy the next day, as if I’ve slept too much!
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I find that melatonin helps me a bit. It’s natural and can be found at most drug stores. I take a couple before bed every night. Overall, it’s helped me, but on some nights, I think I need something even stronger. I just don’t want to go down that road. It’s all Trumps fault!!!! LOL
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My friend Herb swears by melatonin, too. Perhaps I should try it. It IS all Trump’s fault! I’ve told my daughter that if I die of any stress-related illness before he leaves office, I want her to sue the heck out of him! 😉
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I’m in. Let’s make it a class-action suit!!
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I just wonder if the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse, not to mention the suicide rate has increased over the past three years?
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I bet it has. I realize that not everyone in the country pay attention to this stuff as much as say, you and I do. But still, he has not been good for overall mental health. No way. And the vitriol that comes from his mouth? The leader of the ….ahem…..free world? Give me another beer!!!
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You’re right … I am constantly amazed at the number of people who don’t even know what’s happening! They don’t care. As one said to me recently … “It doesn’t have nothing to do with me”. AAaaarrrrgggghhhh! Yeah … here’s another beer for you … 🍺 and another glass of wine for me 🍷. Cheers, my friend.
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I was thinking the same thing. Do you ever watch Stephanie Miller on Free Speech TV? Or maybe on radio? Anyway, today she said this: “I think it’s time we go all Honk Kong on their asses.” I know I’m ready. Question is…Is the rest of America? Could we get millions in the street in D.C. demanding his removal/resignation? I think not. Most people just go about their lives as if nothing is happening. Do I have a job? Am I ok? What does it matter to me what Trump does? I think that’s where most Americans are. It saddens me.
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I agree. And I base my opinion in part by the comments made on a blog owned by a Republican-ite.
All most of them can see is how tRumpsky has benefited them in their world. Few can — or will — look beyond that.
A gathering outside the White House could be VERY effective (like the size of OBAMA’s inauguration crowd … not tRumpsky’s …😁) in getting the point across. But like you, I’m not going to hold my breath.
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No, I had never even heard of either Free Speech TV or Stephanie Miller until reading your post a few minutes ago. Which, by the way, I will re-blog in a bit … still pondering on what to say in my opening blurb. I am so torn on the issue you bring up here. I agree wholeheartedly that I would love to see millions descend on D.C., block the streets, and demand Trump’s head on a platter. But, then I look at myself … what am I doing? I’m aware of the atrocities he is committing, aware of what his minions are trying to pull, aware of the direction this country is heading … but do you see me on a bus headed for D.C.??? No. Why??? Sigh. I’m ashamed of my ownself on this one, my friend.
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Thanks, as always Jill for the reblog. I hear you. This is not easy. I go back and forth on it. Everyone who cares is doing what they can to deal with this monstrosity in the White House. My god, your site reaches thousands, and your posts are amazing. If anyone is making a difference, it’s you!
I’ll make a decision, when or even if there’s ever a decision to be made. I’m not seeing a groundswell of support for a major protest…yet. Who knows, right? What else is he capable of? What if we wake up one day and the idiot gives out the nuclear codes by mistake? Or, maybe he’s caught red-handed doing something so awful the public wouldn’t stand for it. I just don’t know what that could be Jill.
I just know in my heart, he has to go. More than likely, it’s going to have to be the 2020 election that kicks him out. But, you never know. The dude is capable of anything!
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Thank you so much, Jeff … for the past few days, I have been in limbo, unable to write, questioning whether what I do is simply a colossal waste of time. But you’ve given me a much-needed boost, made me feel that perhaps it is worthwhile. I greatly appreciate it!
I agree … he has to go … but, more and more I’m thinking that between gerrymandering, voter disenfranchisement, and voter apathy, not to mention his inane attempts to play the ‘victim’ card, we may be in serious trouble if the impeachment fails to remove him and we have to count on the 2020 election. Sigh.
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The only thing I’m sure of these days is that this presidency will go down as the most corrupt in history. And that said, I’m equally sure we’ve only just skimmed the surface.
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We have. And the Republican Party continues supporting him. Hard to believe.
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