Residents Sue Trump, DeSantis Over Emoluments Land Deal

South Florida residents filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accusing President Donald Trump, his presidential library foundation, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, other state officials and Miami Dade College of violating the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution by transferring valuable waterfront land in downtown Miami for a nominal fee.

The suit seeks to void the January transfer of 2.63 acres of land, valued by the Miami-Dade property appraiser at about $63 million and claimed by plaintiffs to be worth hundreds of millions based on nearby sales. The property, previously owned by Miami Dade College, was conveyed to a state board last fall at the state's request and then donated to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc., a nonprofit established last year by Eric Trump, Michael Boulos and attorney James Kiley. The deed includes a requirement for presidential library or museum components within five years.

Plaintiffs include a Miami Dade College student, a nonprofit led by local activist Marvin Dunn that planned to use the site, and two nearby residents who argue the development would block their...