WASHINGTON — A federal district judge in Washington ruled on Tuesday that congressional Democrats could proceed with a lawsuit claiming that President Trump was violating the Constitution by continuing to profit from his businesses while president. But the Justice Department is likely to quickly appeal the ruling on the so-called emoluments clauses. The department’s lawyers have already appealed a similar decision by another federal judge in Maryland. A three-judge panel from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., is expected to rule on that appeal soon, probably in the president’s favor. But the Justice Department has little choice but to appeal Judge Sullivan’s ruling because plaintiffs in that case will otherwise be able to begin gathering evidence about Mr. Trump’s personal and corporate finances.

Source: International New York Times May 01, 2019 01:52 UTC