# Trump children: run the Blind Trust AND get top security clearance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 16, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112 "2016-11-16T00:25:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/21 "2016-11-16T14:07:05Z")
So…the ‘inquiry’ somehow does NOT reveal intention? Is that it? Just asking questions? You’re welcome to believe that if you choose. But if inquiries were made, whether paper was filed or not, they HAVE been seeking clearance for them, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/22 "2016-11-16T15:25:05Z")
I could see this was a trial balloon. But I thought after John Kennedy appointed his brother as Attorney General that laws were passed to prevent such a thing in the future. Given that, can Trump involve his children or his son-on-law in his administration? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/23 "2016-11-16T15:34:00Z")
The law only governed the president’s cabinet, I believe. You’re about to discover exactly how much leeway an unprincipled being can take. The founders never could have imagine a person like Trump coming to power I expect! ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/24 "2016-11-16T15:38:51Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > So…the ‘inquiry’ somehow does NOT reveal intention? Is that it? > > Just asking questions? You’re welcome to believe that if you choose. But if inquiries were made, whether paper was filed or not, they HAVE been seeking clearance for them, in my opinion. The quote from CNN referenced in post #19 credits the story to someone referred as - “according to a transition source” (aka “a nameless source”, “an unverified source”, “Ms. Chelsea C”). OTOH, the Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller said no official request has been made. Decisions, decisions. What is an unbiased person supposed to believe? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/25 "2016-11-16T15:45:48Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The quote from CNN referenced in post #19 credits the story to someone referred as - “according to a transition source” (aka “a nameless source”, “an unverified source”, “Ms. Chelsea C”). > > OTOH, the Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller said no official request has been made. > > Decisions, decisions. What is an unbiased person supposed to believe? Jason Miller is a known liar. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/26 "2016-11-16T20:28:43Z")
So maybe they should be privy to classified material [without the benefit of security clearance](http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/03/as-first-lady-hillary-did-not-have-security-clearance-but-received-classified-information-anyway/). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/27 "2016-11-16T20:40:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I could see this was a trial balloon. > > But I thought after John Kennedy appointed his brother as Attorney General that laws were passed to prevent such a thing in the future. Given that, can Trump involve his children or his son-on-law in his administration? > [@elbows](#): > > The law only governed the president’s cabinet, I believe. You’re about to discover exactly how much leeway an unprincipled being can take. The founders never could have imagine a person like Trump coming to power I expect! From CNN: > [@](#): > > But any further ambitions to serve their father in an official capacity during his presidency may be curtailed by federal law. A statute passed in 1967 states no public official – from the President down to a low-level manager at a federal agency – may hire or promote a relative. The law was regarded as a rebuttal to President John F. Kennedy’s appointment of his brother Robert as attorney general. > > Kushner, who is related to Trump by marriage but not blood, would still be ineligible. The law specifies “son-in-law” as a type of relative covered by the rule. > > Trump’s other children would similarly be barred from holding posts in a Trump cabinet, or in the West Wing. Trump named Ivanka as a potential cabinet appointee during the campaign when asked which women he might select as part of his team. Donald Trump Jr. has been mentioned as a potential Interior secretary. [Could Donald Trump’s kids serve in his administration?](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/12/politics/donald-trump-kids-nepotism-law/) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/28 "2016-11-16T20:46:41Z")
FYI, I think this [link](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110) goes to the text of that law. 5 U.S. Code § 3110 - Employment of relatives; restrictions ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/29 "2016-11-16T20:47:44Z")
“…_ **may** _ be curtailed by…” As I’ve been saying, I think Donald is about to school a nation in how much leeway he CAN achieve without repercussion. He won’t put the kids in the cabinet or the West wing, I’m certain. But they can still, very easily become the shadow government I think. Come down to it, I don’t think there’s any actual prescribed way to stop him, if he chooses to do so, is there? As long as he’s the mouthpiece what can anyone do? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/30 "2016-11-16T20:50:49Z")
It’s not like installing your entirely unqualified offspring into your administration is a hallmark of dictators or anything. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/31 "2016-11-16T23:37:53Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > OTOH, the Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller said no official request has been made. One should always think about why adjectives are used. Why did he say ‘no official request has been made’, when he could have much more simply said ‘no request has been made’? ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/32 "2016-11-16T23:55:51Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > He doesn’t have to forget. If Trump puts his assets in a true blind trust, the trustees can sell the assets and replace them with other assets, and Trump will not know whether they have done so. Therefore, after he has transferred his assets to the trust, he won’t know whether he still has an interest in those assets, or in some entirely different set of assets. But for this to work, wouldn’t the assets have to be put in the hands of trustees who are disinterested parties? i.e., not his kids? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/33 "2016-11-17T00:20:48Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Didn’t catch the whole story, but something on CNN about Trump seeking top security clearance for his children? > > And he previously said they’d be in charge of the Blind Trust running all his businesses while he’s in office? > > Um. Doesn’t this just scream BAD IDEA? Bad Idea? 😕 It will enhance the wealth and power of the Trump family; that’s what a near-majority of American voters decided we as a nation want. What’s not to love about it? Move to North Korea, Mexico or France if you hate America so much. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/34 "2016-11-17T00:23:58Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > But for this to work, wouldn’t the assets have to be put in the hands of trustees who are disinterested parties? i.e., not his kids? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/35 "2016-11-17T00:29:05Z")
But isn’t the whole ‘blind trust’ thing a custom, not a requirement? A _custom_, like say, releasing one’s tax returns! I am of the firm opinion he knows where all the edges are too soft to stop him from doing exactly as he pleases! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/36 "2016-11-17T00:36:54Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > But isn’t the whole ‘blind trust’ thing a custom, not a requirement? > > A _custom_, like say, releasing one’s tax returns! > > I am of the firm opinion he knows where all the edges are too soft to stop him from doing exactly as he pleases! Hard edges don’t seem to stop him. As in not paying people you owe money to. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/37 "2016-11-17T00:39:11Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I cannot possibly take you folks seriously until you explain HOW, exactly, Trump can set up a blind trust. If its “just too hard” then I guess he has 90 days to LIQUIDATE. You Do understand “liquidate”, don’t you? If you want to pause here to look it up, we won’t judge. Also, We didn’t make his skanky-ass run for president… and if he didn’t read the fine print, Too Damn Bad. Maybe he’ll finally understand just how screwed his Trump-U students were. Or… gift it all… ONE-WAY… to his kids. (Toss him a copy of “King Lear” just for grins & giggles though.) > [@Flyer](#): > > Most liberals have long held the attitude “My mind is made up; don’t bother me with facts.” Well, my answer wasn’t TOO big for you, Republoscum, was it? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/38 "2016-11-17T01:03:15Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > If its “just too hard” then I guess he has 90 days to LIQUIDATE. You Do understand “liquidate”, don’t you? If you want to pause here to look it up, we won’t judge. > > Also, We didn’t make his skanky-ass run for president… and if he didn’t read the fine print, Too Damn Bad. Maybe he’ll finally understand just how screwed his Trump-U students were. > > Or… gift it all… ONE-WAY… to his kids. > (Toss him a copy of “King Lear” just for grins & giggles though.) > > Well, my answer wasn’t TOO big for you, Republoscum, was it? This is a warning for personal insults. Please avoid this in the future. If you feel you must then the BBQ Pit is right around the corner. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/39 "2016-11-17T01:09:54Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > If its “just too hard” then I guess he has 90 days to LIQUIDATE. You Do understand “liquidate”, don’t you?..? LIQUIDATE! Is concept well understood in Soviet Union, where Party find you. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112/40 "2016-11-17T19:13:06Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Jason Miller is a known liar. Hillary is a known liar. Doesn’t mean she hasn’t been right on at least one occasion. How do you rate the credibility of the ever-popular, unnamed _according to a transition source_ source? Did the “reporter” even talk to a transition source, let alone quote one? _According to a transition source_ certainly sounds better than, “The bartender told me”, or “Some guy on the elevator said”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-children-run-the-blind-trust-and-get-top-security-clearance/772112.md?page=3)