ANN ARBOR – As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many are revisiting the ideas that shaped the nation’s founding. One of the least familiar is a constitutional safeguard known as the Emoluments Clauses.
The word “emolument” is rarely used in modern English. In the late 18th century, however, it generally meant a profit, benefit, payment or financial advantage received because of holding public office.
The Framers considered the concept important enough to address twice in the Constitution.
Two Clauses, One Goal
The Constitution contains both a Foreign Emoluments Clause and a Domestic Emoluments Clause…