Title
Calling on Minnesota’s U.S. Congressional Delegation to initiate an investigation into constitutional violations of President Donald J. Trump.
Body
Whereas, the United States constitution states that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State” under the Foreign Emoluments Clause; and
Whereas; the Emoluments Clause provides that the President “shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them” besides his four year presidential salary; and
Whereas, President Trump knew about potential violations before taking office, and did not take the necessary steps to avoid violating the Constitution; and
Whereas, the Emoluments clause bars U.S. officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign government; and
Whereas, President Trump retains financial and personal interest in the success of his businesses, including Trump’s hotels, golf courses, and leases of commercial real estate and payments to them violate aforementioned clause; and
Whereas, President Trump profiting off foreign governments hotel bookings, or through other businesses since he retains ownership of said businesses is in violation of the Emoluments Clause; and
Whereas, from the moment that President Trump took office he has been in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, further, the First Amendment bars the “abridging” of the freedom of the press; and
Whereas, President Trump’s labeling of the free news as “the enemy of the people” and choosing to only invite press who write favorably is also a violation of the constitution; and
Whereas, Congress should also look into whether his involvement with Russia violates any articles of the constitution; now therefore,
Be it resolved, The City of St Paul supports the recent resolution passed by the City of Richmond, California and also encourages other cities to support actions of their own; therefore
Be it further resolved, the Saint Paul City Council calls upon Minnesota's U.S. Congressional delegation to initiate and author legislation directing the House Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether aforementioned grounds, or any others not listed, are sufficient for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump.