Dem calls for House inquiry into foreign payments to Trump hotel

The ranking Democrat of the House Judiciary Committee called Monday for a probe into President Trump over foreign payments to his Washington, D.C., hotel.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said it is time for her committee to open an inquiry, hours after a lawsuit alleging that the president violated the domestic and foreign emoluments clauses was filed in Maryland district court. 

“An emoluments lawsuit against Trump has been filed by D.C. and Maryland. It is time to open a House Judiciary Committee inquiry,” Jackson Lee wrote on Twitter.

An emoluments lawsuit against Trump has been filed by D.C. and Maryland. It is time to open a House Judiciary Committee inquiry

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) June 12, 2017

{mosads}The congresswoman’s call comes on the same day the Maryland and Washington, D.C., attorneys general filed a lawsuit seeking Trump’s financial information and alleging the president violated the clauses by maintaining a financial stake in the D.C. hotel.

“President Trump’s continued ownership interest in a global business empire … violates the Constitution and calls into question the rule of law and the integrity of the country’s political system,” the complaint said.

The complaint cites multiple cases of foreign diplomats and business executives staying in or holding events at the Trump hotel to curry favor with the president.