Trump Takes a Page from George Washington

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In the U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 1, after the language regarding the Electoral College, Natural Born Citizen, and regarding what to do if the President is removed from office by death, resignation, or inability (which has been changed by the 25th Amendment), the text reads, “The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected.”

Congress made sure Washington took a salary, setting it at $25,000 per year.  The word “shall,” after all, means that the President must receive monetary compensation for his services.

To get around the “shall” portion of the compensation for President, two others simply gave theirs to charity.

John F. Kennedy was the wealthiest man ever sworn in as President of the United States. He had given his congressional salary to charity, and he maintained the practice once he got to the White House.

Herbert Hoover, whose net worth was estimated to be nearly $4 million in 1913, divided most of his presidential salary between various charities. He used the rest to supplement the incomes of his staff.

President Elect Donald Trump said when he was still Candidate Trump that if he won the presidency, he would forego a presidential salary.

“I won’t take even one dollar. I’m totally giving up my salary if I become president,” Trump said in a video posted to his Twitter account.

Most recently the president-elect told “60 Minutes” that he would take a $1 salary because the law required him to take some kind of compensation.

According to Title 3 of the US Code, the US President “shall earn” a salary of $400,000, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment.

Like most employees, the president receives benefits in addition to a salary. Unlike most employees, though, these benefits include free transportation in the presidential limousine, Marine One, and Air Force One and free housing in the White House.

At the end of their terms, presidents are still on government payroll, which includes an annual pension of about $200,000, healthcare, paid official travel, and an office.

Trump, if really wants to, can always do what John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover did.  After all, he really doesn’t need the salary, and living in the White House will probably be like staying at a Motel for him, considering what he is used to.

Trump, after all, doesn’t “need” to be President, which is all the more reason I am happy he decided he “wanted” to be President.

– Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary