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Every single official in the executive branch is required, under penalty of potential prison, to avoid financial conflicts of interest. But two people are exempt: President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. This decades-old “presidential exemption” to the federal criminal conflicts-of-interest law has created a bizarre dynamic where Trump openly flouts ethics norms while his Cabinet members, top White House advisers and appointees throughout the federal government jump through hoops to deconflict – either through divestments or recusals.
Seven months into Trump’s tenure, he has brazenly blended his business interests with the presidency by having his administration accept a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar, dining with wealthy investors for in his cryptocurrency coin, selling a Trump-branded smartphone, promoting his Scotland golf properties, and more.
CNN senior reporter Marshall Cohen reports from Washington. #CNN #News
