1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent to urge you to take a firm and proactive stance against any instance of the President of the United States accepting gifts—especially large or valuable ones—from foreign governments or their representatives. The Founders of our nation were clear in their intent to prevent corruption and undue influence over the highest office in the land. The Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) was designed to prevent exactly this kind of conflict of interest, recognizing that even the perception of a foreign power trying to curry favor with our leaders is a threat to our democracy. Accepting gifts from foreign governments compromises the integrity of the presidency, raises serious ethical and national security concerns, and erodes public trust. These gifts can be perceived as bribes or rewards for favorable policies, even if that is not the intent. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a functioning democracy, and allowing any president to benefit personally from foreign entities undermines that principle. I ask you to support legislation that increases oversight and enforces strict limitations on gifts from foreign governments to the President and other high-ranking officials. Whether through strengthening disclosure laws, enforcing the Emoluments Clause, or establishing independent investigations into such matters, it is vital that Congress fulfill its duty to uphold our Constitution and protect the interests of the American people. Today it was announced that Syria is going to build a Trump tower and Trump is going to lift sanctions on the country. It’s obvious to see how corrupt the administration is, and the bribery will snowball from country to country. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to defending the integrity of our democratic institutions. I look forward to seeing you take action on this crucial issue.