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A A federal lawsuit filed by 200 congressional Democrats alleging that President Trump violates the Constitution by accepting payments from foreign governments can go ahead, a federal judge ruled Friday.
The clause on the emoluments of the Constitution prohibits presidents from receiving payments from foreign governments without congressional approval and aims to prevent corruption and foreign influence.
The Trump Hotel, located a few blocks from the White House, has hosted events for foreign governments and visiting officials during his tenure.
The group of Democrats, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., And Representative Jerrold Nadler, DN.Y., want the court to prevent Trump from accepting such payments or compels the president to get the ### 39, congressional approval.
If the Democrats' allegations are true, then "the President accepts the banned foreign emoluments without asking and without receiving a favorable response from Congress," Judge Emmet G. Sullivan wrote in his ruling.
"As soon as the president accepts a banned foreign emolument without congressional consent, his acceptance is irreversible," said Sullivan. "As a result, the complainants allege adequately that the President has completely canceled their votes."
Trump retired from managing his businesses when he became president but remains owner.
Trump's legal team argued that congressional approval was not necessary because payments are not emoluments.
The Trump Organization said it donated $ 151,470 from profits made by foreign governments. He did not specify how he determined that amount.
Attorneys General in Washington, DC and Maryland are also suing Trump over the emoluments clause.
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