Richard Tofel

Why Trump Would Almost Certainly Be Violating the Constitution If He Continues to Own His Businesses

The meaning of the Emoluments Clause is fairly clear. And it all goes back to a diamond-encrusted snuffbox Ben Franklin got from Louis XVI.

Richard Tofel
By Richard Tofel
President elect Donald Trump, left, arrives with his family to give his acceptance speech at an election night rally, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Far from ending with President-elect Trump's announcement that he will separate himself from the management of his business empire, the constitutional debate about the meaning of the Emoluments Clause 2014 and whether Trump will be violating it 2014 is likely just beginning. That's because the Emoluments Clause seems to bar Trump's ownership of

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Donald Trump And The Return Of Seditious Libel

Since winning the election, President-elect Donald Trump has continuously complained about coverage from The New York Times and others. Trump has also promised to roll back the rights of the press.

Richard Tofel
By Richard Tofel
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Crown Arena, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, in Fayetteville, N.C.

In 1733, New York printer John Peter Zenger began publishing the eighth newspaper in the American colonies, and the first willing to venture criticism of the government. The New-York Weekly Journal was the second paper in a city of 10,000 or so people, 1700 of them slaves. As we are reminded in Richard Kluger's comprehensive new book, "Indelible

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Donald Trump And The Return Of Seditious Libel

It is not “freedom of the press” when newspapers and others are allowed to say and write whatever they want even if it is completely false!

Richard Tofel
By Richard Tofel
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump listens to an answer to a question from Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

In 1733, New York printer John Peter Zenger began publishing the eighth newspaper in the American colonies, and the first willing to venture criticism of the government. The New-York Weekly Journal was the second paper in a city of 10,000 or so people, 1700 of them slaves. As we are reminded in Richard Kluger's comprehensive new book, "Indelible

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