The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 15, 2025

This is a timely rebroadcast of a piece we did last November on the emoluments clause. The numbers quoted are chump change compared with the money being thrown at President Donald Trump by foreign countries right now in bitcoin, sweetheart investments and even a luxury Boeing 747. What would the framers have said?

The Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause was Intended to Stop Bribery and Corruption. Recently, Not So Much.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution included the Foreign Emoluments Clause because they feared the influence, corruption and bribery they witnessed in Europe’s monarchies. Why should Americans care about it?
Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Congressional Research Service – The Emoluments Clauses of the U.S. Constitution
National Constitution Center – The Foreign Emoluments Clause: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8
National Constitution Center – Prof. Zephyr Teachout – The Foreign Emoluments Clause
American Constitution Society – Profiting off the Presidency: Trump’s Violations of the Emoluments Clauses
U.S. Supreme Court – BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE OF FORMER FEDERAL ETHICS OFFICIALS SUPPORTING
RESPONDENT
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – Trump likely benefited from $13.6 million in payments from foreign governments during his presidency
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (C.R.E.W) – (2019) Tracking President Trump’s unprecedented conflicts of interest
Business Insider – Trump waited until after he left office to disclose trademarks he owns in China and Russia

Groups Taking Action:
C.R.E.W., Public Citizen, Common Cause

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