Miami Residents Sue Trump and Florida Over Presidential Library Land Transfer

A group of Miami residents, represented by the Constitutional Accountability Center, has filed a lawsuit in US district court against former President Donald Trump and the state of Florida. The plaintiffs allege that nearly three acres of prime waterfront land, previously owned by Miami Dade College, were illegally transferred to Trump for his proposed presidential library. The complaint argues this transfer violates the domestic emoluments clause of the US Constitution, which prohibits sitting presidents from receiving personal gain from their office. Plaintiffs contend the land will primarily serve as a luxury hotel generating profit for Trump, rather than benefiting the student community or public. The project, unveiled in March 2026, includes a 50-story tower and a golden statue, situated next to Miami’s Freedom Tower. This legal action follows previous controversies regarding the lack of public discussion during the initial land transfer by college trustees appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit seeks to block the development, asserting that the state facilitated the gift for personal enrichment under the guise of a presidential library.