Trump delays announcement on business empire

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump is postponing this week’s planned news conference on the future of his business empire until next month because he wants to ensure that “proper protocols are put in place.”

Sean Spicer, a Trump transition team spokesman, says the legal team needs more time to work out the plan for the Trump Organization. In an interview over the weekend, the president-elect said he would not participate in management nor would he “do deals” for his international company, but instead would leave management to his children and company executives.

Trump had said on Twitter last month that he would hold a “major news conference” Dec. 15 to discuss how the company would move forward once he takes office in January.

But Spicer said in an email Monday, “With so many iconic properties and successful entities, moving the announcement to January ensures the legal team has ample time to ensure the proper protocols are put in place so his sole focus will remain on the country and achieving his ambitious agenda with the help of the world-class cabinet he has built.”

Trump takes office Jan. 20.