LAWSUIT/TRUMP BUSINESS: “A federal judge on Wednesday [7-25-18] rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest effort to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of unconstitutionally doing business with foreign governments while occupying the White House. U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte in Greenbelt, Maryland said the attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia, Brian Frosh and Karl Racine, had plausibly alleged that Trump’s activity violated the Constitution’s ’emoluments’ clause. That clause bars U.S. officials from accepting various gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval, and is designed to thwart corruption and improper influence. Messitte had in March narrowed the lawsuit to focus on profits stemming from Trump’s ownership, through the Trump Organization, of the Trump International Hotel in Washington, a popular spot for foreign officials…In his 52-page decision, Messitte rejected what he called Trump’s ‘cramped’ view that the clause was essentially limited to bribes, and said the plaintiffs had ‘convincingly argued’ that it had a broader meaning.”
–Reuters Staff, “U.S. judge rejects Trump bid to dismiss foreign payments lawsuit,” Reuters, July 25, 2018 10:05 am