Judge denies Trump's request to block evidence collection in hotel corruption lawsuit

A federal judge on Friday denied a request from the Justice Department to prevent collection of evidence in a lawsuit alleging President Trump has violated the Constitution's emoluments clause by maintaining a financial interest in his Washington, D.C., hotel. The provision bans the president from accepting gifts from foreign heads of state absent congressional consent.

Judge Peter J. Messitte directed the plaintiffs, the attorneys general for Maryland and the District of Columbia, to create a schedule for evidence collection within 20 days. He limited the discovery to the Washington property but dismissed the Trump team's claim that producing this evidence would be unduly burdensome on the administration. "The president himself appears to have had little reluctance to pursue personal litigation despite the supposed distractions it imposes upon his office," Messitte wrote.

"The Department of Justice disagrees with and is disappointed by this ruling," said an agency representative. "This case, which should have been dismissed, presents important questions that warrant immediate appellate review."

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A separate emoluments suit brought by about 200 Democratic members of Congress is also pending in federal court.