Ceasing Outrageous Restitution and Reimbursement Under President Trump Act; CORRUPT Act
Summary
The "Ceasing Outrageous Restitution and Reimbursement Under President Trump Act" (CORRUPT Act) aims to amend Section 2680 of Title 18 of the United States Code. The amendment would create an exception to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This exception would prevent the President of the United States and their covered relatives (spouse, child, sibling, or in-law) from bringing claims under the FTCA during the President's term.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of the CORRUPT Act would be to limit the legal recourse available to the President and their immediate family under the Federal Tort Claims Act. This means they would be unable to sue the government for torts committed against them during the President's time in office. The bill's impact is targeted at a specific group of individuals, potentially raising questions about equal treatment under the law.
Potential Benefits
- Could prevent potential abuse of the FTCA by a sitting President or their family.
- May reduce the risk of politically motivated lawsuits against the government.
- Could save taxpayer money by limiting potential payouts to the President and their family.
- Potentially promotes a perception of impartiality and reduces conflicts of interest.
- May encourage Presidents and their families to avoid situations that could lead to tort claims.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potentially denies the President and their family equal access to legal recourse under the FTCA.
- Could be seen as discriminatory against a specific group of individuals.
- May create a perception that the President and their family are not entitled to the same rights as other citizens.
- Could lead to claims of political targeting and abuse of power.
- Might discourage individuals from serving as President due to perceived limitations on their rights.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The CORRUPT Act's constitutional alignment is complex. While Congress has broad authority to create exceptions to laws, the singling out of a specific group (the President and their family) could raise concerns under the Fifth Amendment's equal protection principles, which extend to the federal government through the Due Process Clause. The Constitution does not explicitly address the ability of the President to sue the government, so the legality hinges on whether this limitation infringes upon fundamental rights or protections.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).