Donald Trump is making clearer and clearer every day: He intends to continue profiting from the presidency.

A series of recent reports detail the extent to which the military, and government officials (including the vice president), have stayed at Trump-owned properties at taxpayer expense. We must have a full accounting of these stays.

Further, in early October, Politico reported House investigators were looking into an allegation that groups — including at least one foreign government — “tried to ingratiate themselves to President Donald Trump by booking rooms at his hotels but never staying in them.”

The presidency — or any elected office — should never be used as part of a profit-making scheme.

Lavish overnights at Trump’s resorts must be thoroughly investigated by Congress to determine the extent of profiteering enabled by having official government and military stays at the president’s properties. And, reports of efforts by foreign governments or foreign entities to attempt to influence the president by renting out his hotels must also be closely examined.

Together, we must call on Congress to continue — and redouble — its efforts to follow the facts where they lead. That means analyzing financial statements. And that means closely examining all revenues going into Trump’s businesses.

An October ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals of the D.C. Circuit underlined the fact that Congress has the authority to conduct oversight and issue subpoenas to witnesses.

In its ruling the federal court stated:

“Contrary to the President’s arguments, the [House Oversight and Reform] Committee possesses authority under both the House Rules and the Constitution to issue the subpoena, and Mazars must comply.”

The federal case stems from the House Oversight and Reform Committee subpoenaing Donald Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, for financial statements including Trump’s tax returns.

The court ruling is good news for transparency and good for our democracy. Tell Congress to follow the money and determine the full extent of Donald Trump’s profiteering from foreign entities and at U.S. taxpayer expense.