TOPLINE
United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert “Woody” Johnson told his colleagues that President Trump pressured him in 2018 to plead with the British government to move the British Open golf tournament to the Trump Turnberry complex in Scotland. New York Times reported Tuesday.
TURNBERRY, SCOTLAND – JULY 14: A general view of the Trump Hotel on June 14, 2020 in Turnberry, … [+]
KEY FACTS
“Sir. Apparently Johnson felt pressured to try.” Times he reported, citing three people with knowledge of the incident.
Johnson reportedly addressed the matter weeks later with then-British Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell, against the advice of Johnson’s MP Lewis A. Lukens, who was expelled months later.
Mundell told the Times It would be “inappropriate” to comment on the story, and the British government said Johnson “did not make a request to Mr. Mundell about the British Open or any other sporting event,” but did not say if he mentioned Turnberry.
“The episode left Mr. Lukens and other diplomats deeply uneasy,” said the Times Johnson reportedly emailed several State Department officials about it.
The White House declined to comment to Forbes or the Times.
Critical boss
“It is bad diplomatic practice because once you do that, you put yourself in a compromised position,” said former Obama ethics czar Norman Eisen. Times. “They can always say, ‘Remember that time when you made that suggestion.’ No experienced diplomat would do that. “
Key background
The story comes as the latest in a long line of allegations that Trump has used the presidency to benefit his business. The Trump hotel in DC has come under legal scrutiny focused on its alleged use as a vehicle to pressure the White House when visiting foreign dignitaries. The story is also not the first alleged Turnberry-centered irregularity. Political Reporter Natasha Bertrand reported in September 2019 that Air National Guard teams made abnormal stops at the complex, potentially transferring millions to the Trump Organization from Defense Department chests. More recently, Trump raised the possibility of hosting the G7 at his Florida Doral Resort, which was also rumored to be discussed as a possible venue for the Republican convention.
News Peg
While Trump cannot be prosecuted under conflict of interest laws that govern the actions of other government officials, he is subject to the emoluments clause in the Constitution, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments. “Government ethics experts pointed out a possible violation of the emoluments clause that may still have been caused by the actions of the president,” said the Times reported. “The British or Scottish governments would probably have to pay for security at the tournament, an event that would benefit Mr. Trump.”
