You swore to uphold and defend the constitution: honor your oath. Hold your colleagues to theirs.
Please insist that Trump adheres to the constitution and rule of law--now, in connection with emoluments clause.
Please make sure your colleagues understand the issue.
Please ask Senator Collins how this works:
Under Obama, Susan Collins participated in a GOP block on an Obama nominee because a Utah senator wanted a faster review of a Bureau of Land Management policy.
But look:
Now that Senator Schumer will put a hold on Trump's nominees while the matter of the offer of a 400 million dollar gift flying palace offered by Qatar is investigated,
Senator Collins is not happy.
"Maine Senator Susan Collins told reporters on Capitol Hill that she didn't think that holding up Trump nominees was 'an appropriate response' to concerns that Qatar's gift violated emoluments restrictions.
'The lawyers are going to have a look at the issues involving a gift from a foreign government.'"
The offer is wrong: not only does it clearly and unambiguously violate the Constitution but it would also be a grave national security issue to accept a complex object that might be fitted with surveillance devices or other spyware.
Let's look at the Constitution: there is nothing ambiguous.
The constitution has two separate emoluments delineations, both intended to ensure the president's independence from the influence of outside entities-- entities such as Congress, states and foreign governments.
Article I bars anyone holding government office from accepting any present, emolument, office or title from any “King, Prince, or foreign State,” without congressional consent."
Since every member of Congress has sworn an oath to the Constitution, we expect our electeds to know the text and to be prepared to uphold and defend it.
Is Maine's senior senator ignorant of the constitution?
Or is she betraying her oath?
Why does she want regular order when democrats are in charge, but appears to condone Trump breaking the law, shredding the constitution, and jeopardising our national security?
I'm writing because I want answers. Please reply to this letter.
First sent on May 13 by Mary
