Ex-White House ethics lawyers: Trump would fail background check

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/377165-ex-white-house-ethics-lawyers-trump-would-fail-background-check

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Greg Nash

Two former White House ethics lawyers expressed concern in a new op-ed for USA Today that President Trump would not be able to get a security clearance in his own White House if he were not president.

Richard Painter and Norman Eisen, White House ethics lawyers under former Presidents George W. Bush and Obama, respectively, wrote Wednesday that it is “troubling” that many factors would theoretically disqualify Trump from passing a background check.

Painter and Eisen first pointed to recent developments in the scandal surrounding an alleged affair between Trump and adult film star Stormy Daniels.

It was reported earlier this week that Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had complained that Trump had been slow to reimburse him for the $130,000 payment to Daniels to keep her quiet about the encounter.

“Those revelations would halt any normal security or ethics clearance in its tracks,” the two wrote. “They suggest that the payment may in fact have been a loan from Trump's attorney.”

 

 

Painter and Eisen’s watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, filed a complaint with the Office of Government Ethics, alleging that the payment should have been considered a campaign expense and reported if it came from the Trump campaign.

The op-ed also referred to Trump’s financial dealings as a sign that he is susceptible to influence by foreign governments and banks

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

And yet, he passed scrutiny and became president.

[eieio 1,594]

Quote

 ethics lawyers

[bcking 3,157]

2 hours ago, IDWAF said:

And yet, he passed scrutiny and became president.

I think one of their points is the process to become President doesn't actually involve all that much scrutiny, since it is ultimately just a "popularity contest". The requirements are very minimal.

 

Fortunately it seems like Trump is doing is best to reduce pretty much every other office in the White House down to the same low standards he reduced the office of President. So at least the place will be more consistent again.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

15 minutes ago, bcking said:

I think one of their points is the process to become President doesn't actually involve all that much scrutiny, since it is ultimately just a "popularity contest". The requirements are very minimal.

 

Fortunately it seems like Trump is doing is best to reduce pretty much every other office in the White House down to the same low standards he reduced the office of President. So at least the place will be more consistent again.

Well yeah!! I hear they hired a guy without a US birth certificate once.

[bcking 3,157]

3 minutes ago, IDWAF said:

Well yeah!! I hear they hired a guy without a US birth certificate once.

Where'd you hear that from? Considering it's false...

 

Oh ya...our current President. What a great guy...

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

1 hour ago, bcking said:

Where'd you hear that from? Considering it's false...

 

Oh ya...our current President. What a great guy...

Ahh the golden oldies!

 

Donald J. Trump

 

✔@realDonaldTrump

 

Always remember, I was the one who got Obama to release his birth certificate, or whatever that was! Hilary couldn't, McCain couldn't.

10:42 AM - Jun 29, 2014

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Donald J. Trump

 

✔@realDonaldTrump

 

Attention all hackers: You are hacking everything else so please hack Obama's college records (destroyed?) and check "place of birth"

2:06 AM - Sep 6, 2014