House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) urged President-elect Trump to maintain transparency regarding his business activities after assuming office next month but expressed that divestiture from his private ventures should not be mandatory.
Comer emphasized the importance of financial transparency, stating during a Wednesday CNN interview that “bank records” are crucial. He suggested that as long as Trump remains forthcoming, the public might overlook his ongoing business interests. However, he warned that undisclosed agreements could lead to issues.
Comer calls for Trump to embrace transparency in business dealings after taking office
Trump’s recent activities include promoting his family’s cryptocurrency and selling items like Bibles and cologne, with his sons overseeing the Trump Organization’s real estate ventures.
Democrats have repeatedly voiced concerns about conflicts of interest during Trump’s first term, anticipating these issues could become even more problematic in a second term. Comer reiterated that full disclosure is the most effective way to address such concerns.
Transparency, according to Comer, offers the clearest resolution to potential conflicts, and he expressed hope that Trump would willingly disclose details of his business dealings.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have maintained a tradition of transparency by releasing their 2023 tax returns, reinforcing the expectation for openness from the nation’s leaders. The White House described this practice as essential for trust with the American public.
Trump, who fought to keep his tax records sealed, saw his 2015–2020 tax returns released by the House Ways and Means Committee in 2022, breaking from a precedent upheld since Nixon’s presidency. How Trump will approach his business ventures during his second administration remains uncertain. Previously, he placed his assets in a trust managed by his sons.
