CONTACT: Jordan Libowitz
202-408-5565 | [email protected]

Washington—Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United, Jill Phaneuf, and Eric Goode—the plaintiffs in the landmark Emoluments Clause case against President Trump—notified the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York today that they are appealing the judge’s decision to dismiss the case.

“When we decided to bring the first case against a sitting president for systematic violations of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses, it was not a decision we took lightly,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said. “These crucial constitutional clauses are intended to prevent corruption and ensure that the president makes decisions in the interest of the American people, and we are ready and willing to continue taking strong legal action to make sure he follows them.”

“The restaurant owners and workers who are a part of our organization wanted to join the emoluments suit because they feel Trump establishments have an unfair advantage in the restaurant industry. It is hard enough to live on tips as workers, and to pay a fair wage as responsible employers, without having to compete with the president,” said Saru Jayaraman, President of ROC. “We are willing to fight as long as it takes. This is a matter of justice for restaurant workers.”

The case is being appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which will set a briefing schedule.

Click here to read the notice of appeal.