After being rejected by the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board last year, a group of Washington, D.C., residents are once again challenging the Trump Hotel’s liquor license. Citing President Trump’s character, the group hopes to have the hotel’s liquor license revoked.
D.C. law states that license applicants must be of “good character and generally fit for the responsibilities of licensure,” according to the Washington Post. The residents, made up of eight clergy and judges, refiled their complaint when the hotel’s license was up for renewal.
“Donald Trump, the true and actual owner of the Trump International Hotel, is not a person of good character,” the residents wrote in their complaint, because of “certain lies he has told, his involvement in relevant fraudulent and other activity demonstrating his lack of integrity, and his refusal to abide by the law or to stop associating with known criminals.”
Instead of denying the complaint, the board issued a ruling allowing for the complaint to move to mediation or a hearing before the board.
Despite Trump relinquishing control of his company when he became president, “the law does not excuse owners from complying with the statutory requirement because they do not manage the hotel, bar or restaurant where liquor is served,” attorney Joshua Levy, who is representing the group, told the Washington Examiner.
“[Trump] owns the Old Post Office LLC, which holds the liquor license at the Trump International Hotel. The hotel does not and cannot dispute that fact,” he said.
The board rejected the first complaint filed because the license was already issued to the hotel.
The Trump Hotel is a popular spot for supporters of the president and often where big names in the administration, past or present, can be seen. Many pro-Trump events are also hosted at the hotel.
