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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Is Donald Trump thumbing his nose at the Founding Fathers?

    The Constitution prohibits public officials — including the President — from financial conflicts of interest — domestic or foreign. Recent Chief Executives have sold off assets or placed them in blind trusts, but Donald Trump’s lawyer says there’s no way he could be “blind” to his very public investments.

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    By Warren Olney • Jan 13, 2017 • 1 min read

    The Constitution prohibits public officials — including the President — from financial conflicts of interest — domestic or foreign. Recent Chief Executives have sold off assets or placed them in blind trusts, but Donald Trump’s lawyer says there’s no way he could be “blind” to his very public investments.

    Trump may be violating America's basic law the moment he takes the oath of office a week from today. Many legal scholars -- and ethics watchdogs -- say he's failed to avoid financial conflicts as demanded by the Constitution. But as opponents whisper about possible impeachment, other experts insist he's done all that he can as the richest man ever elected to serve in the White House. We hear about Constitutional law -- and politics: is Trump right to say that most Americans don't care enough to make him change?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Donald Trump defying the Founding Fathers?
    1. 1:22Trump nominee talks tough on China, Beijing reacts
    2. 7:56Is Donald Trump thumbing his nose at the Founding Fathers?You’re reading this
    3. 41:02The DOJ investigates the FBI and James Comey
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Elizabeth Segal

      freelance journalist

    • KCRW placeholder

      Peter Nicholas

      Wall Street Journal

    • KCRW placeholder

      Elizabeth Wydra

      Constitutional Accountability Center

    • KCRW placeholder

      David Rivkin

      BakerHostetler

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Donald Trump defying the Founding Fathers?
    1. 1:22Trump nominee talks tough on China, Beijing reacts
    2. 7:56Is Donald Trump thumbing his nose at the Founding Fathers?You’re reading this
    3. 41:02The DOJ investigates the FBI and James Comey
    Back to To the Point