Press Releases

Today, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN) released a document entitled “Alternative Facts” v. Reality: Ethics, Conflicts of Interest, and the Emoluments Clause. This document highlights 15 facts rebutting the myths President Trump has perpetrated regarding the applicability of ethics laws to the Executive Office of the President, his conflicts of interest, his plans to address those conflicts of interest, and his claims regarding the application of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause. 

The release of this document comes after House Judiciary Committee Republicans voted to kill a resolution of inquiry yesterday, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), which would have directed the Justice Department to provide the House of Representatives with information relevant to President Trump’s conflicts of interest, his potential violations of the Emoluments Clause, and ties between his campaign advisors and the Russian regime. It also comes after a Congressional Black Caucus forum on President Trump’s potential conflicts of interest, ethics violations and Russia ties.     

Ranking Member Conyers and Subcommittee Ranking Member Cohen released the following joint statement:

“To safeguard our democracy, Congress must act in accordance with its constitutional oversight duties because the ethical dilemmas presented by the Trump Administration have the potential to undermine the American people’s trust in government.  Since winning his election, President Trump has flouted the ethical norms established by his predecessors. President Trump has failed to take adequate steps to address conflicts of interest and to ensure he does not run afoul of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause.  House Republicans refuse to perform the most basic oversight that might shed light on these pressing issues surrounding President Trump’s administration.”

Ethics experts from across the political spectrum have condemned the President’s unwillingness to separate from his business interests in any meaningful way.  According to a recent poll from McClatchy-Marist, nearly six in ten Americans believe that President Trump’s conflicts of interest are illegal, unethical, or both.  According to that same poll, 58 percent of the country is embarrassed by Donald Trump’s conduct as President of the United States.

The report is available here.