Donald Trump's inauguration will apparently violate the lease on his favorite new hotel
Once he is sworn in, President-elect Donald Trump will be shielded from most ethics and conflict-of-interest rules that apply to just about every other member of the federal government, but presumably he will still be subject to contract law. That may pose a problem for Trump regarding the newest jewel of his empire, the hotel he just inaugurated in the Old Post Office Pavilion, just down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. Trump being effectively "both landlord and tenant" of the Trump International Hotel "presents unprecedented and intolerable conflicts of interest," government procurement experts Steven L. Schooner and Daniel I. Gordon say at Government Executive, but more simply, it also appears to violate "the Trump Organization's 60-year, $180 million lease" on the historic building. They explain:
The lease is between the Trump Organization and the federal General Services Administration, whose administrator Trump will appoint, and Schooner and Gordon argue that it is up to the GSA to clean up this mess, preferably before Trump takes office. They reject the probable Trump solution, passing the lease off to Trump's adult children, as legally and practically untenable: "Just imagine GSA pressing the Trump organization for more detailed revenue and expense information, or the president's children negotiating annual rent adjustments with a career civil servant who reports to the GSA administrator appointed by their father, who serves at his pleasure."
"In a perfect world, Trump and the GSA would negotiate a mutually agreeable termination of the lease or a novation/transfer to an unrelated firm," Schooner and Gordon say. "Nothing thus far suggests that President-elect Trump appreciates the need to do so. As a result, GSA must take unilateral action." You can read their entire argument at Government Executive.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - November 29, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - November 29, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published