Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) said Tuesday that President Trump’s decision to drop plans to hold next year’s Group of Seven (G-7) summit at one of his own properties was a “wise” one.
“There’s just a lot of issues that are floating out there, no reason to create any more issues,” Hice, who serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee, told Hill.TV.
“The president was wise in doing that,” he added.
Hice’s comments come after Trump originally sparked backlash after announcing plans to host the 2020 G-7 summit at his Doral resort in Miami.
The plan was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans, who expressed concern that such a move would have violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution and allowed Trump to use his office to the benefit of his bottom line.
Though Trump has since decided to pick a new G-7 location, the president defended his initial plan on Monday and once again claimed without evidence that the presidency has cost him billions of dollars.
“I don’t think you people, with this phony Emoluments Clause — and by the way, I would say that it’s cost anywhere from $2 billion to $5 billion to be president,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
Democrats have long alleged that Trump has used his presidency to funnel business to his personal properties.
Congressional Democrats have filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump is violating the Emoluments Clause, which prohibits elected officials from receiving gifts or contributions from foreign governments. The case is is still making its way thorough the court system.
—Tess Bonn
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