Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Top House Democrat's Subpeonas Demand Trump Tax Returns
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
May 10, 2019

Share

WASHINGTON — A top House Democrat on Friday issued subpoenas for six years of President Donald Trump’s tax returns, giving Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig a deadline of next Friday to deliver them.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., issued the subpoenas days after Mnuchin refused to comply with demands to turn over Trump’s returns. Mnuchin told the panel he wouldn’t provide Trump’s tax records because the panel’s request “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose,” as Supreme Court precedent requires.

The White House and the Democratic-controlled House are waging a multi-front battle over investigations into Trump and the administration has been refusing to comply across the board.

Neal reminded the two Trump appointees in a Friday letter that federal law states that the IRS “shall furnish” the tax returns of any individual upon the request of the chairmen of Congress’ tax-writing committees and that Ways and Means “has never been denied” a request.

The White House and the Democratic-controlled House are waging a multi-front battle over investigations into Trump and the administration has been refusing to comply across the board, refusing to comply with subpoenas for the unredacted report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and documents related to the testimony by former White House Counsel Donald McGahn.

Weaponize Tax Returns for Political Purposes?

Neal originally demanded access to Trump’s tax returns in early April. He maintains that the committee is looking into the effectiveness of IRS mandatory audits of tax returns of all sitting presidents, a way to justify his claim that the panel has a potential legislative purpose. Democrats are confident in their legal justification and say Trump is stalling in an attempt to punt the issue past the 2020 election.

In making rejecting the request, Mnuchin said he relied on the advice of the Justice Department. He concluded that the Treasury Department is “not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information.” Mnuchin has also said that Neal’s request would potentially weaponize private tax returns for political purposes.

“While I do not take this step lightly, I believe this action gives us the best opportunity to succeed and obtain the requested material,” Neal said in a statement.

Trump has privately made clear he has no intention of turning over the much-coveted records. He is the first president since Watergate to decline to make his tax returns public, often claiming that he would release them if he was not under audit.

President Sees it as an Invasion of Privacy

“What’s unprecedented is this secretary refusing to comply with our lawful … request. What’s unprecedented is a Justice Department that again sees its role as being bodyguard to the executive and not the rule of law,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. “What’s unprecedented is an entire federal government working in concert to shield a corrupt president from legal accountability.”

“I believe this action gives us the best opportunity to succeed and obtain the requested material.” — Rep. Richard Neal

But the president has told those close to him that the attempt to get his returns was an invasion of his privacy and a further example of what he calls the Democrat-led “witch hunt” — like Mueller’s Russia probe — meant to damage him.

Trump has repeatedly asked aides as to the status of the House request and has not signaled a willing to cooperate with Democrats, according to a White House official and two Republicans close to the White House.

He has linked the effort to the myriad House probes into his administration and has urged his team to stonewall all requests. He also has inquired about the “loyalty” of the top officials at the IRS, according to one of his advisers.

Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.

DON'T MISS

Sacramento Prosecutor Sues California’s Capital City Over Failure to Clean Up Homeless Encampments

DON'T MISS

Trump Arrives in Florida for History-Making Court Appearance in Secret Docs Case

DON'T MISS

Trump Arrives in Florida for History-Making Court Appearance in Secret Docs Case

DON'T MISS

Pence Testifies Before Election Probe Grand Jury

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Pass US Debt Bill, Push Biden on Spending

DON'T MISS

Mike Pence Wants Swift Execution of Mass Shooters to Combat Gun Violence

DON'T MISS

As Defense Chief, Carter Opened Combat Jobs to Women, Ended Transgender Ban

DON'T MISS

Israeli Forces Raid Gunmen’s Hideout in West Bank; 5 Palestinians Killed

DON'T MISS

Did Adidas Move Too Slowly in Cutting Ties with Rapper Ye?

DON'T MISS

Midterm Election Voter Turnout Typically Is Low. Will This Year Be Different?

No data was found

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

6 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

6 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

6 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

6 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

6 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

7 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

7 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

8 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

10 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

11 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

PGA HOPE, now underway at Fresno’s Riverside Golf Course, is designed to introduce golf to veterans and active duty military members t...

4 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
4 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

5 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

5 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

6 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

6 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

6 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

6 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

6 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend