Jul 25, 2018

Judge allows emoluments clause case against Trump to proceed

Zachary Basu

The entrance to the Trump International Hotel is viewed on June 5, 2018 in Washington, D.C. Photo: George Rose via Getty Images

A federal judge has rejected President Trump's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging he has violated the emoluments clause of the Constitution by doing business with foreign governments, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: The emoluments clause was drafted to prevent foreign governments from gaining influence in the U.S. in exchange for gifts, payments or other benefits. The Trump Organization has hosted foreign leaders at its Washington hotel, but argues they are paying for a service and thus not providing Trump with a gift.

What's next: Per the Post, the parties that brought the suit, DC and Maryland attorneys general, hope to search company records and interview Trump Organization employees "to determine which foreign countries have spent money at Trump’s hotel in downtown Washington."

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Marisa Fernandez

China reopens Wuhan after 10-week coronavirus lockdown

People wearing facemasks stand near Yangtze River in Wuhan. Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

China has lifted its lockdown of Wuhan, the city in Hubei province where the coronavirus outbreak was first reported in December, according to the New York Times.

Why it matters: As cases surged in January, China took the draconian step of sealing off the city of 11 million and shutting down its economy — a response that was viewed at the time as only possible in an authoritarian system, but which has since been adopted by governments around the world.

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Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 1,381,014— Total deaths: 78,269 — Total recoveries: 292,973 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 1 p.m. ET: 378,289 — Total deaths: 11,830 — Total recoveries: 20,003 — Map.
  3. Trump administration latest: Trump removes watchdog overseeing rollout of $2 trillion coronavirus bill
  4. Federal government latest: Senate looks to increase coronavirus relief for small businesses this week — Testing capacity is still lagging far behind demand.
  5. States update: New York death toll surged to its highest one-day total as state predicts a plateau in hospitalizations.
  6. 🎧 Podcast: The race to reopen America
  7. What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
  8. Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

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Keep ReadingArrowUpdated 26 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Jacob Knutson

Trump removes watchdog overseeing rollout of $2 trillion coronavirus bill

Glenn Fine, acting Pentagon watchdog

President Trump on Monday replaced the Pentagon's acting Inspector General Glenn Fine, who had been selected to chair the panel overseeing the rollout of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed last month, Politico first reported.

Why it matters: A group of independent federal watchdogs selected Fine to lead the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, but Fine's removal from his Pentagon job prevents him from being able to serve in that position — since the law only allows sitting inspectors general to fill the role.

Go deeperArrowUpdated 37 mins ago - Politics & Policy