In an email on Wednesday, Dinesh Chawla said he and his brother were pleased by the approval, though they said the development agency had not notified them of it. The development agency declined to comment. Ethics watchdogs and the president’s critics say the Mississippi tax break would benefit the president, albeit indirectly, because he continues to own the Trump Organization through a trust. Other legal experts, however, contend that domestic emoluments are allowable so long as Mr. Trump does not earn them from his service as president. The development agency’s tourism rebate program is part of an effort to draw tourists to Mississippi and help the local economy.

Source: New York Times February 21, 2018 22:59 UTC