Florida Governor Ron DeSantis brushed off a new lawsuit accusing him, other Florida officials, and the president, of violating the U.S. Constitution over the transfer of Miami land for President Donald Trump’s future presidential library.
“I don’t know really what the lawsuit would be,” the Republican governor and Trump ally told The Miami Herald, adding that the land is not going to the president as an individual, but rather the foundation.
Jerry Greenberg, legal counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, told Newsweek in an email Saturday, “Florida’s gift of valuable land to President Trump blatantly violates this law at the expense of Miami Dade College and the residents of Miami.”
The lawsuit presents another legal challenge to the administration, and one that may test the constitutional limits of states providing incentives or financial benefits to a sitting president through projects tied to presidential libraries and private development. It also adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Trump’s business dealings and fundraising efforts while in office, particularly as critics argue the project could ultimately function as a luxury commercial venture rather than a traditional public archive.
Newsweek has reached out to DeSantis’ office, the White House and the presidential library for comment via email on Saturday.
What the Lawsuit Says
Last fall, Miami Dade College (MDC) transferred the property, which at the time was appraised at $67 million to the Florida Board. DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved turning over the 2.63 acres of downtown Miami property to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation, Inc., to establish the president’s post-administration archives and museum.
Several Miami residents, including a current MDC college student, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Trump, DeSantis, MDC and other Florida officials, alleging the donation of land for a future Trump presidential library violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Article II, Section 1, Clause 7 of the Constitution works to preserve presidential independence, barring the president from receiving “any other Emolument from the United States” during their presidential term.
“The Emoluments Clause bars a president from using his public office for private gain,” Greenberg told Newsweek.
The plaintiffs argue Florida lawmakers violated this by giving “the President a piece of state-owned property worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” later identifying the property as likely to “sell for over $300 million on the open market,” and noting that “Trump paid nothing for it.” It also notes the initial appraisal was undervalued and had MDC sold the property, “it would have been transformative for the institution.”
“As a result of Defendants’ conduct, other states have been forced into an arms race in which they must either compete with Florida to lavish gifts on the President or fear being unfairly disadvantaged — the precise scenario that the Domestic Emoluments Clause was adopted to prevent,” the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs seek the court to declare “null and void the land transaction that resulted in the Domestic Emoluments Clause violations and Plaintiffs’ harms.”
The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation is led by three trustees: Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump’s husband, Michael Boulos, and Trump attorney James Kiley.
What Did Governor DeSantis Say About the Lawsuit
“I don’t know really what the lawsuit would be,” DeSantis told the Miami Herald. “It’s the foundation that is going to be running this, they’re trying to say it’s a personal benefit to the president.”
He added that the library will be affiliated with MDC, saying, “The others—Bush, Clinton, these others—were with universities. So to be able to have Miami Dade College be involved in that is really a unique opportunity.”
The governor continued: “I don’t know that’s how these things end up typically being. But I know for us, we view it as a good opportunity for education and culture, and I’m really excited to have Miami Dade College involved in that.”
What Has Trump Said About the Library?
In the Oval Office in late March, Trump said, “It’s a library. It’s a museum. It’s presidential… but I wouldn’t start it till I’m out of the office. I don’t believe in building libraries or museums.”
He later posted a video showing the design of his planned presidential library, including a tower, in a Truth Social post. The following day he told reporters the presidential tower could also include other features beyond a library, saying, “It’s gonna be most likely a hotel, you know? This concept could be office, but it’s most likely gonna be a hotel with a beautiful building underneath and a 747 Air Force One in the lobby.”
Presidential libraries are archives and museums that hold documents and artifacts of a president and the president’s administration for the public to access, according to the National Archives website.
Trump further remarked, “They say it’s the best block in Miami, and the state worked with us,” a quote the plantiff’s cited in their lawsuit.
Trump has two resort properties in the area, one on the beach and another in Doral.
Where Will the Trump Presidential Library Be?
The lot at the center of the dispute is located on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, next to the Freedom Tower and across from the Kaseya Center, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. The land was used for an MDC employee parking lot.
Read the full article here
