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Swarajya Staff
Dec 16, 2016, 11:15 AM | Updated 11:14 AM IST
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A group of Democratic senators will present a bill that would obligate US President-elect Donald Trump to divest himself of any financial interests that may pose conflicts of interest and to place his assets in a blind trust, The Hill reported on Thursday. The bill would also consider any violation of ethics laws or conflicts of interest by Trump "a high crime or misdemeanour under the impeachment clause of the US Constitution."
The bill would require incoming First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, his wife Karen Pence, and Trump's youngest son Barron to abandon any financial assets that would pose conflicts of interest and place them in blind trusts.
While it is highly unlikely that Trump will come out against the bill, he is bound to react. On 30 November, Trump unleashed a Twitter storm by announcing that he will be leaving his “great business in total in order to fully focus on running the country in order to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!.”
I will be holding a major news conference in New York City with my children on December 15 to discuss the fact that I will be leaving my ...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016
do this under the law, I feel it is visually important, as President, to in no way have a conflict of interest with my various businesses..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016
However, on 12 December, Trump announced a new plan, and said he was busy. He added that no new deals will be signed during his term in office.
I will hold a press conference in the near future to discuss the business, Cabinet picks and all other topics of interest. Busy times!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2016