The Trump Organization has hired a prominent attorney, William Burck, to oversee its ethical standards as it seeks to avoid conflicts of interest during President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. This move comes in response to ongoing concerns about the potential entanglement of the President’s private business dealings with his public office.
The real estate conglomerate, which has long been under the leadership of Donald Trump and his family, turned to Burck following the retirement of Bobby Burchfield, who had held the position of ethics adviser through Trump’s first term. Burck, an experienced Washington-based attorney, confirmed his new role to USA TODAY, with the Trump Organization sharing a copy of its updated ethics plan.
The new guidelines, which were introduced on Friday, establish stricter parameters for the company’s dealings, particularly when foreign governments are involved. The plan explicitly bans new agreements between the Trump Organization and foreign governments but still allows transactions with foreign businesses—an exception that echoes the policies in place during Trump’s first term.
New Oversight Measures for Significant Transactions
One of the key features of the new ethics plan is a detailed review process for significant transactions, which includes any real estate deals exceeding $10 million or leases of more than 40,000 square feet. The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that such deals are conducted at “arm’s length,” meaning they are independent from outside influences, and that they do not raise ethical concerns or conflicts of interest. The company will also continue to donate all profits from foreign government business to the U.S. Treasury, in a move designed to alleviate concerns over the Trump Organization’s financial ties with foreign powers.
Additionally, the Trump Organization will offer discounted rates to the U.S. Secret Service at its properties, a practice that has drawn criticism in the past for allowing government funds to flow into the Trump family’s business ventures. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, defended the ethics plan, stating, “The Trump Organization is dedicated to not just meeting but vastly exceeding its legal and ethical obligations during my father’s Presidency.” He added that the company had appointed Burck to ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct during Trump’s time in office.
Burck’s Background and Past Controversies
Burck’s appointment has drawn attention due to his deep connections within Washington’s legal and political circles. He is a partner at the prominent firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and has a history of service in the George W. Bush White House. His legal career also includes stints as a federal prosecutor and as a law clerk for former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Most recently, Burck played a key role in the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee. Despite his past reluctance to work for Trump, Burck has represented numerous high-profile clients, including Maureen McDonnell, the wife of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who was convicted of corruption charges.
Ethics Concerns and Past Criticism
The Trump Organization and President-elect Trump have faced numerous ethics challenges over the years, particularly related to foreign government patronage. Critics argue that Trump’s businesses benefited from foreign governments seeking to curry favor with the administration, with foreign officials frequenting Trump’s properties during his first term. These concerns were further fueled by revelations that the Trump Organization made undisclosed payments to the U.S. Treasury to offset profits from foreign government spending at its hotels and resorts.
Additionally, lawmakers have scrutinized deals with foreign companies, particularly those with ties to authoritarian regimes. Reports have indicated that the Trump Organization received millions of dollars from foreign governments such as China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, raising concerns about the propriety of such transactions. While the Justice Department defended these actions in court, arguing that they were routine commercial dealings, the ethical implications continue to stir debate.
As the Trump Organization moves forward with its new ethics plan, it remains under the watchful eye of critics and watchdog groups. Tony Clark, an advocate for government transparency, emphasized the need for continued oversight, stating, “People want to know their elected officials are working for us and not themselves.” With the Trump Organization’s ongoing global dealings, the effectiveness of these new ethical safeguards will likely remain a key issue throughout Trump’s second term.