Trump sued by lawyers

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) group today filed a lawsuit against newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.

CREW's lawsuit was filed in New York, seeking to block Mr. Trump from accepting payments from foreign governments, USA Today reported.

The CREW group argues that Mr. Trump is violating the Constitution by continuing to accept payments from foreign governments at businesses run by his family.

President Trump is being sued for violating the US Constitution. Photo: AP

Under the Emoluments Clause of the US Constitution, the president is prohibited from accepting payments or gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.

"We hoped President Trump would take the necessary steps to avoid violating the Constitution before taking office. He did not. His violation of the Constitution is immediate and egregious, and we are compelled to take legal action," said Noah Bookbinder, executive director of CREW.

Mr. Trump and his attorney Sheri Dillon said earlier this month that he had relinquished control of his companies to his sons, Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump, and relinquished his management role at the Trump Organization. However, Mr. Trump will retain ownership of his companies.

“There is no question that President Trump is violating the Constitution when he takes the oath of office. This lawsuit simply asks a federal court to enforce the Constitution and reaffirm that no one, not even the president, is above the law,” Erwin Chemerinsky, a member of CREW, said in a statement.

Other lawyers participating include luminaries such as Laurence Tribe, Norman Eisen, and Richard Painter, two ethics lawyers under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

According to VNE