The House Oversight Committee Democrats have released a report accusing Donald Trump of overcharging Secret Service agents for rooms at his hotel in Washington while he was president, benefiting from payments made by foreign and domestic officials seeking favors. The report, based on spending records at Trump’s hotel over 11 months, shows that the Secret Service was charged up to 300% more than the approved government per diem rate for rooms, among other instances of questionable spending. The report also highlights payments from U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, governors, Trump Cabinet members, and others at the hotel during the investigated period. Trump faced several lawsuits for violating the emoluments clause but was not penalized. The report calls for legislation to define penalties for officeholders violating the clause and emphasizes the need for government to serve the public rather than private interests. The report is part of a larger investigation into Trump’s financial benefits while in office, with previous findings revealing his businesses received at least $7.8 million from foreign entities during his presidency. The report aims to hold Trump accountable for using his position to enrich himself and urges Congress to take action to prevent similar abuses in the future.
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