Trump's team is reportedly exploring how to make his blind trust only 'half-blind'
Since being elected, Donald Trump has squirmed under pressure from critics who have demanded he divest assets in his companies completely, and soon. The Trump family has repeatedly insisted on setting up a blind trust to deal with the ethical quandary, although exactly how "blind" such a trust — run by Trump's sons, Don and Eric — would be, many critics are doubtful.
Politico now writes that the transition team is exploring options that might not be blind at all: Trump might just keep one eye shut.
The plan would effectively be a "half-blind" trust that would allow Trump to "peek" on his businesses, Politico explains. But Walter Shaub, the chief of the Office of Government Ethics who was appointed by Barack Obama and will be in office until January 2018, could continue to demand a more satisfying solution.
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Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said decisions have not yet been made. But "to have someone baby-sit your conflict-creating assets while you go around and do whatever you want, in my view that's a violation of at least the spirit of the rules and that's an abuse," explained Richard Painter, a former ethics lawyer. Painter added that Trump's solution would be "highly inappropriate."
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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