emoluments

The president already is the subject of investigations by New York officials, and he may be implicated by federal authorities as well. As a private citizen, he would no longer enjoy de facto immunity.

The District of Columbia and Maryland say Trump is violating the emoluments clauses of the Constitution that prohibit the president from receiving gifts or favors from foreign and state governments.

The suits allege that Trump is violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution — and demand that the president divest from his private dealings.

A lawsuit involving President Trump and his D.C. hotel could hit the headlines in the fall of 2019, prime time in the next presidential campaign.

About 200 Democrats contend Trump's Washington, D.C., hotel is violating the Constitution's Foreign Emoluments Clause. Now a federal judge will let them make the argument in court.

Judge George Daniels said it's up to Congress, not citizens, to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause. "Congress is not a potted plant," he said.