Judge rejects lawsuits against Trump and DC hotel brought by restaurateurs

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against President TrumpDonald John TrumpGM arouses Washington's anger with new layoffs Ocasio-Cortez blames Gorka: "We stand on the side of history if you are my opposition" Trump defends the use of tear gas at the border MORE and its Trump International Hotel, which claims that the hotel derives an unfair trade advantage from its affiliation with the president.

The complaint was filed last year by the Cork Wine Bar. The homeowners argued that foreign leaders, lobbyists and government officials were more likely to book at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, because of Trump's influence.

"If they have a party to book, they will do it first, whether to gain influence from the president, to gain influence from the party. "Administration," said restaurant lawyer, Scott Rome, last year. "And he shows up there on weekends, so you get a personal time going there."

District Court Judge Richard Leon wrote in a ruling on Monday that Cork "has not made a claim for unfair competition".

Leon said that he could not prevent public figures, including Trump, from "taking stakes in the companies they promote".

Leon also wrote that "there are constitutional issues of profound weight and importance hidden in this case" but added that Cork had not made any request for unfair competition.

"The pending queries can be resolved without opening Pandora's new questions box.So … I concluded on the merits that Cork did not make any allegation of unfair competition under of the California law, "Leon wrote.

Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts, the owners of Cork Bar, wrote in an editorial for The Hill that they were suing Trump because the hotel and its dining establishments "were not playing fair".

"The name of the president, his well-known property and presence give the Trump International Hotel a head start to win the contest to attract diners and tourists and to organize events. lucrative events where many people meet up for drinks and dinner or even more political dinners wrote.

They also argued that the hotel was violating his lease, which prevents any elected representative from having a "stake in the hotel where he or she perceives benefits while performing elective duties".

The lawsuit brought by the Cork Bar is distinct from the one alleging that Trump violated the Constitution's emoluments clause by accepting payments from foreign governments through his hotel.

The emoluments clause prohibits the president-in-office from taking gifts or payments from foreign or national governments.