CREW sues State Department and Secret Service for records on G20 summit at Trump Doral

CREW is suing the State Department and the U.S. Secret Service for failing to produce records in response to CREW’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The requests seek records regarding the evaluation of prospective venues and selection of President Trump’s for-profit business, Trump National Doral, to host the G20 Summit and records on how the State Department addresses payments to the president, transactions with companies that he owns or controls and safeguards and policies in place to prevent unlawful payments of emoluments to the president.

In January 2025 the State Department invited American cities and regions to submit detailed bids to be the U.S. host site for the 2026 G20 Summit. Nevertheless, President Trump abruptly announced in September 2025 that the U.S. will host the 2026 G20 summit at his Doral resort in Miami. In response, CREW submitted FOIA requests to the State Department and Secret Service seeking records related to the government’s ultimate selection of Trump National Doral as the host venue and how the State Department handles payments and business with President Trump and his businesses. The Secret Service and the State Department have failed to release any documents or make a determination on the request, in violation of FOIA.

The Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution are crucial anti-corruption safeguards that apply to the president. The Foreign Emoluments Clause prohibits the president from receiving any  profit, gain or advantage from a foreign government without the consent of Congress. If the 2026 G20 summit is hosted at Doral, his for-profit business is likely to receive significant financial benefits from foreign officials and accompanying visitors, potentially violating the Foreign Emoluments Clause.

The Domestic Emoluments Clause prohibits the president from accepting any profit, gain or advantage beyond a salary from the federal government, its agencies or any of the states. Depending on the details of the arrangements, holding the G20 summit at Doral could also result in payments that violate the Domestic Emoluments Clause. On December 22, 2025, CREW submitted another FOIA to the State Department for records related to its policies and procedures regarding emoluments and transactions with businesses owned or controlled by the president. The records requested by CREW would enable the American public to gain insight into crucial government decisions and procedures. Nearly four months later, the State Department has not even acknowledged that request. 

The State Department and Secret Service failed to comply with CREW’s FOIA requests and are now wrongfully withholding records responsive to CREW’s requests. The public deserves to know exactly how Trump National Doral was picked to hold the G20 Summit, and whether the government is ensuring that he does not receive payments that violate the Constitution.