August 19, 2015

Dems petition Obama to remove Trump's name from DC hotel

Two Democratic congressmen are demanding that Obama Administration officials bar Donald Trump from displaying his last name on the exterior his new Washington, D.C. hotel, citing concerns that the billionaire's surname represents "exclusion" and "intolerance."

Reps. Ruben Gallego, Ariz., and Tony Cárdenas, Calif., have submitted a formal petition to the Department of the Interior with the goal of blocking Trump from having his name "prominently displayed" on the Old Post Office building currently under renovation to become the latest Trump International Hotel.

According to the lawmakers' petition, Trump's name violates the "federal government's responsibility to ensure that public lands are welcoming places" because of the remarks he's made about women and the Latino community.

"Trump's recent and repeated remarks disparaging women, Mexican-Americans, and other Latinos are hateful, divisive, and completely inaccurate," the men wrote. "As a result of these comments, the Trump name is now inextricably linked to the anti-Immigrant, anti-Latino sentiments that he continues to loudly and publicly espouse."

The lawmakers cited Interior Secretary Sally Jewell's recent refusal to renew the lease for the Washington Redskins' old stadium as precedent, suggesting that the Department continue to "prohibit the display of racist or insensitive emblems on land it controls."

While the historic pavilion located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol Building was purchased by Trump in August 2013 during negotiations with the General Services Administration, it remains under the National Parks Service's management.

According to The Hill, the GSA has not yet responded to the lawmakers' petition. However, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs is currently reviewing a claim introduced by D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen regarding similarities between the sign currently displayed outside Trump's hotel and the logo used by the real estate magnate during his presidential announcement.

Trump's campaign did not respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.


Source: Gabby Morrongiello - Washington Examiner