Congress of the United States Basinger B.€, 29515 April 25, 2018 ‘Alan Garten General Counsel ‘The Trump Organization ‘Trump Tower 725 Sth Avenue New York, NY 10022 Dear Mr. Garten, We write to express concer regarding recent communications between the Trump Organization andthe President of Panama, conceming a legal dispute over a property managed by the Trump Organization in Panama, and to request additional information. On April 9, 2018, the Associated Press published a letter written by Panamanian law firm Britton and Iglesias on behalf of the Trump Organization, addressed to President Juan Carlos ‘Varela of Penama. In the liter, Briton and Iglesias requested that President Varela intervene in legal dispute between the Trump Organization and the overs ofa Trump-branded hotel in Panama City. Specifically, the letter states: “We appreciate your influence in order to avoid that these damages are attributed not to the other party, but to the Panamanian government.” ‘This request raises a key question: has the Trump Organization sought to leverage the fice of the President andthe diplomatic relationship between the United States and Panama to ‘advance the company’s private interests? We note that President Trump never divested his ‘holdings in the Trump Organization, and that the company continues to be managed by members of the President's family. Any use of public office for privet gain likely violates both federal law and ethics regulations! and would certainly merit further investigation, A broader principle is also at stake. The Foreign Emoluments Clause ofthe United States Constitution provides that “no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under (the United States] shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign Stale.” The Clause was designed to prevent our county's leaders from being corrupted by foreign powers or influenced by their ‘own financial interests atthe expense of the nation. ‘Additionally, we are concerned tha this letter could undermine the eredibility of the United States on questions of corruption and the rule of law. By requesting thatthe President of Panama intercede in a judicial proceeding—in President Trump's name, no less—the letter See 18 USC. §208 and 5 CER. $2635.02.Mr. Alan Garter shows alack of respect for judicial independence in Panama, a country that has made considerable efforts to strengthen the capacity of is legal system to combat money laundering and corruption. Itis troubling that the President of the United States would be among the principal beneficiaries of such a violation of the principle of judicial independence, and we applaud the President of Panama for his refusal to intercede in the legsl proceedings in question, {As you know, combating corruption and strengthening the rule of law remains a significant foreign policy priority forthe United States, and success in this area is critical to our national security. n Fiscal Year 2017 alone, the United States Congress appropriated '$533,200,000 in Western Hemisphere funds within the State Department's Intemational ‘Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Account. Is our responsibilty to ensure not only that these funds are effectively utilized, but also thatthe President and all other relevant government officials are fee fiom any conflicts of interest that could inhibit their ability to faithfully execute the underlying policy aims. Additionally, the Judiciary committee has jurisdiction over matters conceming Constitutional violations, and there is pending legislation that would clarify the application of the Emoluments Clause to the President and his business dealings". Because the President has not wholly divested himself from his business interests, we are concemed the behavior in these circumstances gives the appearance the President is profiting from relations with foreign governments, which is in violation of the Emoluments Clause ofthe Constitution. ‘We respectfully request that you provide, ina timely manner and in any event no later than May 9, 2018, answers tothe following questions: ‘© Was the Briton & Iglesias letter sent at the request of President Trump or any other ‘government official? Ifo, whom? ‘© Was the letter sent atthe request ofthe Trump Organization? ‘+ Has the Trump Organization, or has Briton & Iglesias, made any other attempt to ‘communicate with the President of Panama or any other political figures in Panama, with regard to the legal dispute concerning Trump Ocean Club Panama’? ‘© What other communications has the Trump Organization, or any organization representing the Trump Organization, made witk other foreign government officials with regards to Trump Organization properties, since President Trump assumed office? ‘Since President Trump's inauguration, has the President or any member oFhis “Administration participated in any decision to expand the presence of the Trump brand elsewhere inthe Panamanian market? Seceg, Hier HIF, 16h Cong (2017), I Ree 76, 115th Core C017)Mr. Alan Garte ‘+ Given that President Trump has nt divested his holdings in the Trump Organization, ‘would he stand to benefit financially in any way ifthe President of Panama had granted the Trump Organization's request to intervene in thi judicial process? ‘Thank you for your prompt attention this important issue Since, (ome Von BAa | E, agehe "elle. NORMATTORRES © EVIOTLENGEL "JERROLD NADLER Member of Congress Renking Member Ranking Member House Foreign Af_irs Committee House Judiciary Committee