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Press Release

POGO and Bipartisan Ethics Experts in New Letter to Trump: Divest Now to Prevent Ongoing Conflicts

WASHINGTON — A group of more than two dozen organizations and individuals who specialize in government ethics and conflict of interest issues, sent a joint letter today to President-elect Donald Trump urging him to immediately divest his businesses and place the assets and investments into a genuine blind trust.

“It must be clear to all that any domestic and foreign policy decisions you make are not being influenced by your business arrangements and family relationships or by your investment holdings,” it says.

The letter—whose 29 signatories include POGO and the chief ethics lawyers for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama—says the American people deserve to know “that the policy decisions of foreign governments with respect to the United States are not unduly influenced by a desire to curry favor with you and your family in your business enterprises.”

POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian, says:

“As Trump prepares to enter public service, he cannot moonlight with his businesses, television show, or anything else that could come into conflict with the national interest. It’s time to divest and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. By doing so now, he can prevent being embroiled in scandal, litigation, or government investigations for years to come.”

Read the full letter here.