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Trump’s Business Dealings Are Deeply Troubling

To The Reader’s Forum:

In a letter sent to me regarding my serious concerns over the President’s conflicts of interest, Rep. Tom Reed told me: “divested his business interests. This was done to ensure that there will be no conflicts of interest while he is in office.” However, this is incorrect: Trump did not in fact “Divest” his interests; he only stepped down from CEO positions. He will still be in a position to fully benefit from his ownership of any businesses, including Mar a Lago and Trump Tower, which he has essentially forced New York State, Florida and the Federal government to pay to use while ensuring his and his family’s protection.

Does Tom Reed not understand the simple business and fiscal issues at hand here? If so, then why does he serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over major financial and tax issues? Or does Tom Reed think it’s acceptable to baldly lie to his constituents in order to mislead them, while he grins out of the other side of his face at a president who openly disregards ethical concerns and seems to be using his presidency as a method of enriching his finances?

In his letter, Tom Reed further told me that “We will continue to follow this issue to ensure that all ethical requirements are met.” However, he serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has just refused to press for the release of Trump’s tax returns, a standard so common for former presidents that it went without saying; and a demand fully legally allowable to that committee. How can Reed state that he and his GOP fellows are truly taking every action if they won’t even request information that will ensure a more complete picture of Trump’s financial dealings?

I am deeply troubled by the business dealings and failure to share the complete financial picture of this president, particularly as we begin to see the ways in which he may be unduly influenced by stakes in Russian government and finances. Why does my Congressman not share or care about my concerns enough to even provide me with a factually correct response?

Kristina Benson

Bemus Point

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