Trump Organization Unveils Ethics Plan To Distance President-Elect Donald Trump From Operations

The Trump Organization has announced an ethics plan aimed at distancing President-elect Donald Trump from its operations during his second term. The plan, which mirrors some of the steps taken during Trump's first term, includes several measures designed to avoid conflicts of interest. However, it also raises concerns about potential loopholes and the lack of divestment from the business empire.



Under the new plan, the Trump Organization pledges not to enter into any new deals with foreign governments and to donate any profits from foreign governments that can be identified to the U.S. Treasury. The company also announced the appointment of an outside ethics adviser, William A. Burck, to review major transactions and avoid potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the plan states that Trump will have "limited access" to the company's financial information, and his businesses will remain in a trust managed by his children.

While the Trump Organization's ethics plan includes some safeguards, it also leaves room for potential conflicts of interest. The plan does not address how the company will handle overseas business deals, and Eric Trump has previously stated that the firm will continue to pursue foreign business during his father's second term. Furthermore, the plan does not require Trump to divest himself from his business empire, leaving open the possibility that his personal financial interests could influence his policy decisions.

The Trump Organization's approach to foreign business deals during President-elect Donald Trump's second term differs significantly from the ethics policies of previous U.S. presidents. While other presidents have divested themselves of their businesses or placed their holdings in blind trusts to avoid conflicts of interest, the Trump Organization's current approach allows deals with private foreign companies, potentially opening the door for outside actors to try to buy influence with the new administration.

In conclusion, the Trump Organization's ethics plan for Trump's second term appears to be less comprehensive than the one implemented during his first term, potentially leaving room for conflicts of interest. While the plan includes some measures to mitigate potential conflicts of interest, it also raises concerns about the lack of divestment and the silence on overseas business deals. Ethics experts have raised concerns about the potential for corruption and conflicts of interest, given the Trump family's extensive business interests and the president-elect's continued involvement in the company.