Trump International Hotel, one of the hotels in the Trump empire located a stone's throw from the White House, is at the center of a lawsuit against the US president.

A judge has ruled that the lawsuit is approved and can proceed to the next step, which means that the state of Maryland and the city of Washington can begin collecting evidence against the president.

It is the first time that a certain type of anti-corruption provision in the constitution has been applied to a sitting president. The so-called compensation clauses mean that a president is not allowed to receive any financial benefits from domestic authorities or foreign governments.

Just over a year ago, Trump was sued by nearly 200 Democratic lawmakers, who believe the president is violating the US Constitution by still owning a stake in the hotel, which often hosts guests from both US government agencies and foreign governments who are in Washington to visit the White House.

If the judge's ruling stands, it could allow the plaintiffs in the case to investigate Trump's statements. The US Justice Department, however, still has the option to appeal the ruling. The department's position has previously been that the entire lawsuit should be dismissed because it believes that the clauses in the Constitution are there to prevent a president from accepting bribes, not to stop him from doing business.

In the United States, it is tradition – but not law – for presidents to disclose their tax returns. Trump has refused.

Source: TT