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Capitol Hill Democrats escalated their broadsides against President Trumps role as businessman-in-chief on Tuesday, accusing the billionaire president of profiting illegally from private dealings with foreign dignitaries.

Led by Sen. Richard BlumenthalRichard BlumenthalDemocrats tout suit on Trumps foreign business connections Overnight Finance: Ryan seeks manufacturing muscle for tax reform | Warren targets Wells Fargo board | Senators raise concerns over Russian takeover of Citgo | Pelosi hits GOP for budget delays Live coverage: Senate Dems hold talkathon to protest GOP health plan MORE (D-Conn.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), the Democrats contend that Trump, by refusing to extract himself fully from the global business empire he commanded before taking office, has violated a section of the Constitution barring federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign leaders without congressional approval.

On Tuesday, a handful of lawmakers gathered in the basement of the Capitol to press their case. If there was any mystery about the direction they were headed, the sign on the podium quickly put it to rest.

The bottom line is that we have no clue as to most of the investments and partnerships of Donald TrumpDonald TrumpDaily Mail editor pulls out of talks for White House job Pavlich: Trumps best speech Trump: China 'has not worked out' on North Korea MORE around the world because he has made no disclosures, said Blumenthal, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committees Constitution subcommittee.

The American people have a right to know if the president of the United States is putting the national interests before his own.

Last week, almost 200 Democrats representing both congressional chambers filed a lawsuit accusing Trump of leveraging his political stature to churn profits, including payments from foreign dignitaries newly eager to stay at Trumps name-branded hotels around the world.

That arrangement, the Democrats charge, violates the Constitutions emoluments clause, which proclaims that no Person holding any Office shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Blumenthal, the lead plaintiff in the suit, said Trumps refusal to disclose his taxes has made the suit necessary.

We cannot consent to what we dont know, he said.

Also last week, the attorneys general in Maryland and the District of Columbia filed a suit contesting what they consider to be similar conflicts of interest by the president. A third suit, filed earlier in the year on behalf of businesses alleging they compete with Trumps own, is also working its way through the courts.

The Democrats in Congress think their challenge may stand the best chance, because the Constitution grants the legislative branch the explicit responsibility of sanctioning any foreign gifts.

The suit has attracted the endorsement of 196 lawmakers 166 House members and 30 senators, according to Conyers. None of them are Republicans.

Trump was right when he said theres a cloud over his presidency, Conyers said. But its his own cloud.

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Democrats tout suit on Trump's foreign business connections - The Hill