Duncan: Trump’s children should run the president-elect’s business empire

Excerpt from a Politico story on President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for dealing with his businesses having potential conflicts of interest with public duties and the reaction of congressmen overseeing potential conflicts:

Kellyanne Conway, a top Trump aide, told the AP on Wednesday that Trump’s three adult children will see their business responsibilities increase as Trump steps away from the private sector. Tennessee Rep. John Duncan, a senior GOP Oversight panel member, argued the president-elect won the White House in part because voters appreciated the role his children play in the family’s wider business relationships. And the lawmaker said he wanted it to continue as Trump officially takes office.

“Most people that I heard felt much better about Mr. Trump because they were so favorably impressed by his children,” Duncan said. “I think it would be better for the country if the children remain in a close relationship with their father and give him advice on important issues as they go along. And I think they can easily do that and maintain their business relationships. So I don’t see a problem with it.”

While House Oversight Democrats are demanding a closer look at Trump’s business dealings, their GOP counterparts appear far from focused on it now. Asked whether he had concerns about conflicts arising from the prospect of Trump’s adult children remaining engaged in the family business, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, a South Carolina Republican, replied, “Honestly you’re asking the entire wrong person. I haven’t given that a single lick of thought.”

But Mulvaney, a member of the oversight panel that’s been at the center of probes into Obama administration actions, insisted Republicans would hold Trump’s feet to the fire. “I am absolutely confident the Oversight Committee will give the next administration the same level of scrutiny it gave the last administration.”