Trump asks federal court to dismiss emoluments lawsuit

President Trump has requested that a federal court dismiss a lawsuit against him alleging that he has violated the Constitution by collecting profits from his luxury hotel in Washington, D.C. 

According to a report by CNN, Trump is asking the judge to dismiss a personal claim against him alleging he violated the emoluments clause, which bans presidents from receiving gifts or payments from foreign governments without Congress’s explicit approval.

Trump is being sued both as an individual and as the president over alleged emoluments clause violations.

{mosads}CNN reports that the filing claims the District of Columbia and Maryland state attorneys general don’t have the right to sue Trump as an individual and even if they could, “the President still is absolutely immune.” 

U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte shot down Trump’s request in March to dismiss an emoluments clause lawsuit against him, ruling that the case could proceed. 

After the 2016 presidential election, Trump broke with precedent by refusing to divest in his businesses. He instead placed his assets in a trust controlled by his two adult sons.

Ethics watchdogs say the president is violating the clause every time his hotels or golf courses receive payments from foreign governments because Trump still owns his stake in them.