Real quickly — I have put up a petition on Change.org asking Donald Trump to Divest by Inauguration or Resign!
Here is the text of the petition. If you agree, please sign and share. Let’s get as many signatures as we can piling up!
President Elect Trump: We the people do not accept your cavalier and bad faith approach to the Office of the President by insisting you can successfully carry out your work as a multinational businessman and be the President.
You are planning to use the office to further the Trump brand, as already indicated by the new deals you just struck with Indian businessmen. You are seeking direct contributions from foreign governments to your businesses such as the diplomats you invited to your new DC hotel, and this is in direct violation of the emoluments clause of the US Constitution.
While the Founders wanted the Executive branch to have wide latitude in decision making, they clearly did not anticipate a man like you being elected to the office. Every other candidate has put their assets in a blind trust (Kennedy, Reagan, GHW Bush, GW Bush) or liquidated their assets and then put them in a blind trust (Carter, Obama). They did this so they could cleanly consider the decisions of the President on their own merits, free of concerns about whether they would personally benefit. You have chosen not to and made the crass statement to the NY TImes today that you don't have to and that voters bought this when the elected you.
Mr. Trump, because of the emoluments clause alone, we will face a true constitutional crisis on Jan. 21 if you do not divest your assets and hand the proceeds over to a true blind trust (which cannot be run by your children). Congress will have to specifically agree to consent on each and every one of your transactions involving foreign governments, such as debt from China and diplomats in your hotels, or if they choose not to consent, to potentially impeach you for your defiance of the US Constitution.
You chose to run for the office of the President and to serve the people of the United States of America. We, the taxpayers of this country, are your employers, and we will not be pleased at all if you treat this important position as a means to enhance your personal wealth. We deserve your full attention as President, not the small amount that you will give between business deals.
Divest by Inauguration or, if you will not, resign from the position of President Elect. There is no other honorable or decent path.
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2016 · 6:34:27 AM +00:00
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dlcox1958
The comments to this story betray a defeatist cynicism among some. Frankly I don’t get it. Sure, an internet petition is not the same as direct political action. But if it gains momentum it starts some useful conversations and actions, and provides some hard numbers to back any efforts to hinder the awfulness of Trump before he takes office.
Really, it takes a second to sign it — yes, call the senators, congresspeople, but why not? What is wrong with petitions? THey are indications of people’s feelings on the issue.