Justice lawyers go to court to block Trump's lawsuit against Washington hotel

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Department of Justice lawyers recently ended their efforts to end the complaint. Trump violates a constitutional clause prohibiting presidents from accepting gifts or favors from foreign or national governments because of his involvement in the Trump International Hotel in Washington.

If the call fails, the Trump organization may have to hand over a series of internal documents, possibly offering a window on the operation of the company.

Trump International, located on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the White House, is the preferred destination for Trump and his first lady, Melania Trump, when he dines outside the White House. It has become a gathering point for Trump supporters as well as groups with business administration.

The Trump administration says the trial is causing prejudice to the president and would undermine the separation of powers, according to court documents.

The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and District Attorney General Karl Racine, who argued that the Trump International Hotel's activities put the hotels and entertainment venues at a competitive disadvantage. entertainment nearby. Owned property prior to Trump's election, got special tax breaks.

A federal district judge authorized state governments to continue their legal action in July 2018 against Trump in his official capacity as president. The states subsequently abandoned the part of the prosecution that was pursuing him personally.

The judge allowed DC and Maryland to begin issuing subpoenas last year. Inquiries were sent to many Trump private companies, various federal agencies and 18 other unnamed entities competing with Trump International. Although the subpoenas do not require the president's personal tax returns, they ask for tax documents from his businesses that could start giving a picture of his own finances.

The Department of Justice says that the case of Attorneys General is based on "a host of new and fundamentally flawed constitutional premises" and that the process of gathering evidence in the case would include " an intrusive discovery in the President's personal financial affairs and official acts ". of the administration ", according to court documents.

The appeal of the Department of Justice put an end to the discovery process and put the case on hold until the Court of Appeal ruled.

Katelyn Polantz from CNN contributed to this report.

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