Donald Trump lashed, accused of corruption by governor

FORMER governor accuses Donald Trump of corruption saying he’s never “seen a president in my lifetime who’s done anything like this”.

A FORMER governor has launched a stinging attack on Donald Trump, accusing the United States President of corruption.

Howard Dean, who ran against Hillary Clinton in last year’s primaries, said Mr Trump was “running a criminal enterprise out of the White House”.

The former Vermont Governor and Democrat party chair said the President’s frequent trips to his own properties raised eyebrows and that he was running a “criminal enterprise out of the White House”.

A Wall Street Journal review found Mr Trump has spent almost a third of his first year in office at his properties.

“The promotion is extraordinary,” Mr Dean told MSNBC.

“There hasn’t been a president in my lifetime who’s done anything like this.”

Mr Dean also said he believed Robert Mueller, the special counsel appointed by the Justice Department to investigate possible collusion with Russia, would find something suspicious among the President’s business dealings.

“I’ve said for a long time, I think (Mr Trump) is running a criminal enterprise out of the White House,” Mr Dean said.

“And I think that’s what Bob Mueller’s on the track of.”

It isn’t uncommon for sitting Presidents to spend time at their own properties while in office, however Mr Trump’s — including his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey — are open to the public and for business, The Independent reported.

The Trump Organisation is currently managed by his sons but the President maintains ownership.

Former Vermont governor Howard Dean has launched a stinging attack on Donald Trump. Picture: AFP

Mr Dean’s claim comes days after a judge tossed out a civil case against Mr Trump over his business ties.

Restaurant workers, a hotel event booker and a watchdog group claim Mr Trump has business conflicts that violate the Constitution.

However, US District Judge George Daniels ruled on Thursday that they cannot sue him because it was too soon for the claim to be considered by the courts, particularly because Congress had not considered the issue.

The lawsuit earlier this year alleged that Mr Trump’s “vast, complicated, and secret” business interests were creating conflicts of interest.

It claimed the business ties violated the Constitution’s ban against taking foreign gifts and money without Congress’ permission, including for hotel stays or office leases. Mr Trump had called the lawsuit “totally without merit” while aides to the Republican president dismissed it as politically motivated.

Justice Department lawyers had argued that the plaintiffs did not suffer in any way and had no standing to sue, and that it was unconstitutional to sue the President in his official capacity.

Mr Trump has made several appearances at his resorts, golf clubs and a hotel in Washington frequently since he was sworn in as President last January.

— with the Associated Press