Amid continuing revelations about Trump’s use of the presidency for political and personal gain, Beto today proposed reforms to ensure the effective enforcement of the Emoluments Clause, and to limit the use of presidential pardons.

“In his farewell address, George Washington warned of the ‘insidious wiles’ of foreign powers and urged Americans ‘to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government,’” said Beto O’Rourke. “Congress should act swiftly to impeach and to remove President Trump from office in light of his illegal actions. But it is also time to pass additional reforms that heed Washington’s advice so that Trump—and every president who follows—will never be above the law, or able to welcome foreign interference in our democracy.”

First, Beto would ensure effective enforcement of the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, by making an attempt to secure or acceptance of assistance from a foreign power for personal profit or political gain a federal crime through both civil and criminal liability. He would also ensure non-financial assistance from a foreign state in an election is included as an emolument. Additionally, he would toll the statute of limitations on emoluments solicitation and acceptance during the president’s term. Beto will also ensure the creation of an accurate reporting system around emoluments within the federal government.

Additionally, Beto also proposes amending the Constitution to ban the use of the self-protective pardon, whereby the president grants a pardon with respect to an individual connected to an investigation in which the president or one of his family members is a target, subject, or witness, clarifying these actions are unconstitutional.

Until such an amendment could be passed, Beto supports increased transparency in the pardon process, by requiring the President, in pardoning individuals with ties to the president’s own interests, to disclose the evidence collected in the investigation to Congress.