Dems Say Donald Trump is Violating GSA Lease with His New DC Hotel

WASHINGTON, DC — Four Democratic lawmakers say the General Services Administration believes President-elect Donald Trump is in violation of the lease for his new luxury hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. when he will be sworn in on Inauguration Day Jan. 20 and therefore should drop his stake in the hotel, according to a letter sent by the lawmakers.

The letter claims that Trump International Hotel, which is on federal property and is under a 60-year lease with the GSA, is bound by a provision that prevents an elected official to share in the lease or benefit from it.

The letter, sent to GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth on Wednesday, asks for documents related to the lease.

"The Deputy Commissioner confirmed repeatedly during the briefing that GSA reads this provision as we do, which is a categorical ban on the President of the United States or any other elected official having any financial interest in this lease, or taking any financial benefit from it," states the letter, signed by Reps. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, Peter DeFazio of Oregon, Gerald Connolly of Virginia and Andre Carson Indiana.

The letter goes on to state that neither Trump nor his associates had weighed in on the issue. "This raises serious questions about how Mr. Trump plans to proceed," they wrote.

Trump transition spokesman Jason Miller said the president-elect's team had no comment on the letter except to say that it will be addressed in January when Trump gives a press conference on his business interests.

A press conference on the same topic had been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15, but was abruptly cancelled with no explanation.

Trump's significant business holdings have raised great alarm over conflicts of interest now that he has been elected president of the United States. Opponents are worried that foreign governments will use his hotels and other business interests to curry favor with the president. Trump claims he will hand over the business to his children, but he remains a financial stakeholder in his empire.

Image via Flickr user Gage Skimore