Concerns about Donald Trump becoming the next US President will finally come to fruition. Even the President-elect himself needs to address the predicament that he will be in considering that his personal interests will probably get in his way of abiding and implementing American policies for the next four years.
With diversified investments in a number of fields, it is likely that Trump will, at some point, negate what he is sworn to uphold. The truth is he may actually have a point when he refused to disclose the full details of his assets and ventures.
Primary on the billionaire businessman's financial empire list is the Trump International Hotel. With the luxurious building just blocks away from the White House, it is possible that guests of the President will tap the hotel as venue where dignitaries can stay while in town or when there are scheduled appointments at the Oval Office. Doing so signifies their support for Trump.
However, the approach will put the forthcoming President in an awkward position of violating the emolument clause which prohibits the presidency from accepting gifts of any form. This constitutional law is implemented to prevent parties from gaining government influence. The question in place here will be the payments made by dignitaries staying in Trump's hotel.
Second, with the new US President having more than a hundred companies in eighteen nations, it will be a mind-boggling decision on what avenue will Trump follow in order to protect his investments. The possibility that assets of the US Presidents in foreign lands will be tackled during government transactions is highly likely. The alignment of Trump's personal interests and his public obligations will definitely be scrutinized.
Third, the President-elect will be in collision course with the 1967 anti-nepotism law. It is no secret that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who replaced Gov. Chris Christie as head of the new US leader's transition team, has been appointed to a senior White House position.
The late President John F. Kennedy has had the same conflict of interest when he employed his brother Robert as attorney-general. However, considering that Kushner is not directly related to the upcoming Commander-in-Chief, legal proceedings may find a way around this loophole.
Fourth, perhaps one of the biggest tests that Trump will be facing is battling the unions. The new President needs to set his priorities straight judging that his companies have been embroiled in legal tussles. Now that he holds the highest American office, it will even be more difficult for him to separate his interests from doing his obligations.
Lastly, with a lot of financial links outside of the US, Trump needs to weigh in on the monetary and economic policies that he will be pursuing considering that his investments will get in the way of his decisions.
