It’s ironic, and should be unacceptable to the American people, that their new President-elect–who ran on promises to drain government of self-dealing and conflicts of interest–comes in as the most financially conflicted President in history. Trump owns stock in some 500 different companies including oil and pipelines. See: Donald Trump’s stock in oil pipeline company raises concern:
“You have climate (change) deniers, industry lobbyists and energy conglomerates involved in that process…The pipeline companies are gleeful. This is pay-to-play at its rawest.”
Centuries of human experience, revolution and jurisprudence have long established that high ethics and integrity demand more than “trust me”. They must be demonstrated through full disclosure, transparency and arm’s length dealings. Democracy requires fiduciary duty of appointed leaders who represent the public trust. Full stop.
Editorial Board Member Joe Rago on more evidence that the president-elect should liquidate his assets to avoid conflicts of interest. Here is a direct video link.
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