Would like to see some success in retrieving financial records from Mazars, as well as Deutsche bank records. That should finish the Oval office beast.
20
My thoughts are running back to ancient history. To Mr. Gaius Julius Caesar. Let me explain.
The man loved power. No one denies it. Capable--brilliant--he was cut out to be top dog. He knew it. His many foes knew it. The Roman people knew it.
He became Roman consul around 59 B.C. Sakes, the guy broke the law right and left. But (as consul) he held imperium. Supreme power. He couldn't be prosecuted.
Then came that ten years' war in Gaul. Sakes, it was bloody. The Gauls were subdued. But Caesar still had imperium. He couldn't be prosecuted. And in any case he was miles away.
His command in Gaul came to an end. What to do? His many foes, like sharks, were circling in the water. Ha--got it! He could stand for the consulship.
In absentia. So he STILL couldn't be prosecuted.
"In a pig's eye!" screamed those diehards--Cato and others. "You come to ROME before there's an election."
He DID come to Rome.
With an army. His foes fled. Civil war broke out. Caesar won that war. Made himself dictator.
And the old Roman republic? After half a thousand years--
--it went belly up. It never really came back.
Mr. Donald J. Trump is no Julius Caesar. And yet. . .and yet--
--food for thought.
I guess we'll see.
9
I do not see that requesting Trump’s personal and business tax returns as harassment but rather keeping him to his promise to release them after his election. What honest, aboveboard person would withhold this information from those in government both federal and state who are requesting the documents, unless they have something they want to keep hidden.
16
I live in "flyover country". But from what I know of Mr. Vance I would trust him just a little more that AG Barr, but not by much.
2
Mueller had top secret clearance and couldn't find anything. I doubt Cyrus Vance is Yankee White so he's going to find even less. Tell him to quit wasting NYC's time and money on this farce, and try putting a few purse snatchers in jail.
3
@Hurricane567 Mueller did find things that are troublesome. He just didn't have the authority to indict Trump due to the DOJ policy that a president cannot be indicted. Trump's henchmen (Mulvaney, Mnuchin, Ross) block everything. At state level, he has no such control.
17
It is incorrect to say the Mueller didn’t get anything. You obviously never read his report.
18
The information sought in these subpoenas will not be seen until 2025. Bet on it.
4
Can a tax return on an individual be legally requested by DOJ, for review on what they received and from whom? Someone like SD? (A reverse search, if you will call it?) Doesn't it have to be claimed? Just wondering.
Why doesn't Congress pass a law requiring any/all Presidential candidates to release their tax returns?
10
@Rebecca Yes, yes, yes! trump has proved time and again that relying on norms and traditions is NOT enough to protect out fragile democracy. Companies hiring for positions that handle money do a background check and credit report - they want to know "what they're getting" for this sensitive position.
This is even more true for the most powerful job in the world whose occupant can do a LOT in secrecy and claim "national security" or "executive privilege" to hide it from the voters.
7
Are the audits completed yet?
8
There is no cure for curiosity.
What is he hiding ?
6
And how long is it going to take to get the taxes....if ever? In our Orwellian world, a criminal can prevent anyone from investigating his crime, witnesses from appearing, and suing any action that might shed light on his nefarious dealings ..... and a President has no oversight from a Senate that is intent only on keeping their silence so that they can get re-elected.
16
Finally, I can say I am pro-States' Rights.
13
"As usurpation is the exercise of power, which another hath a right to; so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which no body can have a right to. And this is making use of the power any one has in his hands, not for the good of those who are under it, but for his own private separate advantage. When the governor, however intitled, makes not the law, but his will, the rule; and his commands and actions are not directed to the preservation of the properties of his people, but the satisfaction of his own ambition, revenge, covetousness, or any other irregular passion." -- John Locke
17
Given the unbelievable volume of lawsuits brought against him, I am finding it incredibly difficult to understand why he's not in prison already.
I would be.
So would you.
62
@Mutt
I have the answer for you: Out of court settlements and nondisclosure agreements.
Trump would rather not go to court because, as Michael Cohen and others have already indicated, he would perform poorly on the witness stand. That is why, even the case of the Mueller investigation, Trump preferred either a closed door interview or a written statement.
Nondisclosure agreement payments are only made if the plaintiff (victim) promise never to speak of the incident.
Trump would rather settle, so there is no indictment, no court trial and no conviction
5
… remember the Al Capone story?
They finally got him (and his family) on tax fraud!!
"Al Capone Convicted of Federal Tax Evasion. The U.S. Treasury Department had been developing evidence on tax evasion charges - in addition to Al Capone, his brother Ralph "Bottles" Capone, Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik, Frank Nitti and other mobsters were subjects of tax evasion charges."
Hope that old saying "history likes to repeat itself" is actually true!
35
Why not "Manhattan DA Subpoenas Eight Years of Trump's Tax Returns." Passive voice. Bad
10
@Ms. G
Not passive voice. It's active voice in present tense when it should be in present perfect tense: "has subpoenaed". As it is, the action appears to be occurring at this moment.
1
Deutsche Bank agreed to cooperate with Congress months ago. And? Congress has subpoenaed many of Trump's minions. And? Trump is a despicable human being and his most un-civil behavior is what some people find so attractive. He is a brazen bully who successfully flaunts the law. So what if his "strength" is actually sociopathic? This should matter. Unfortunately, it does not.
35
@Judith Stern
He flouts the law. He flaunts his behavior.
Check definitions.
4
Edgar Cayce predicted the 44th president would be African American, and, he predicted there would be no 45th president...so far he's 2 for 2...
25
Remember that Al Capone went down for taxes, not his many other crimes.
But I am not fussy...in fact, I relish seeing live on the evening news a "perp walk" with the Stable Genius being led out in handcuffs across Fifth Avenue to a NYPD car...
Now, I have something to live for!
34
I keep hoping SOMETHING will stick to Trump.
21
Is this a bill of attainder? Un-Constitutional?
3
Lots of laws have been passed in response to specific abuses.
1
@Bruce Thomson Which abuses? Trump's tax returns were accepted by the IRS. Do you think he was never audited? Do you think the Trump "business" doesn't have a team of CPAs who are licensed and are prepared for audits by the IRS at the federal and state levels?
4
Between investigating him and calling him a racist, that’s pretty much all the left can do. They have to get him out of office any way they can because he’s running circles around the Obama administration. Millions of normal Americans are finally seeing some growth in their 401k’s and IRA’s after 8 years of stagnation. The DOW is up 50% in less than 3 years! Why couldn’t Obama have done that? The ‘recession’ ended early in his first term in office. I guess raising taxes and regulations, and saddling the business community with Obamacare wasn’t the answer. Oh, and Trump is not a racist.
4
@Krause
Oh the left can do much more. We can stand up for the rule of law. We can ensure more people than ever get adequate health care through Obamacare. We can reduce the deficit caused by failed GOP policies. And Obama doubled the market in 2 years (3/6/2009 to 4/15/2011) and then reduced the deficit. Trump paid with our tax dollars to boost the Dow.
36
@Krause "Millions of normal Americans are finally seeing some growth in their 401k’s and IRA’s after 8 years of stagnation."
The S&P 500 an averaged 13.64% per year during Obama's eight years in office. During Trump's first two years in office, the S&P averaged 8.69% per year. So much winning!!!!
28
@Krause
You actually believe Trump's lies about his greatness and the failures of the Obama administration? It is little wonder that we no longer have a functioning democracy when facts are not relevant to our discussions and an obvious con man is worshipped as a savior.
16
Can someone please clarify something: you cannot “harass” a president. Scrutiny and uncomfortable situations come with the job. He’s got a great option if he doesn’t like it: quit.
38
Manhattan DA = Elliot Ness, in the current Trump era, hopefully.
12
Show us the money (or lack thereof).
13
It seems the only campaign promise Trump delivered on was to “drain the swamp.” He did. But he replaced it with a cesspool. A swamp is a vibrant habitat that has a diversity of life and is part of a vital and healthy ecosystem. A cesspool has no redeeming qualities. It is a foul and fetid thing that harbors only feces and toxic microbial life. Congratulations, Mr. Trump. You did indeed drain the swamp and now you are the “king” of the disgusting cesspool you replaced it with.
54
Is the plan to lock away an entire accounting firm? Surely someone knew how to file these forms in accordance with the rules.
I predict that Avenatti will be locked up before any accountants.
6
Michale Cohen confessed he paid Stormy Daniel hush money out of his own pocket as a campaign donation. A U.S. district court sentenced him to four months for making an excessive campaign donation that exceeded the limit for individual donations. Since Coen confessed and was convicted of making the payment, why is New York considering prosecuting Trump for making the payment?
3
Because Trump reimbursed Cohen for the hush money payment. It's that simple.
11
@William Case
Well, Cohen did not do it for himself. He was not personally involved with Stormy Daniels, but his boss, Donald Trump was. Wasn't that simple?
5
I'll be patient and wait until after he loses the election and can't hide behind the presidency. However, I find it hard to wait until he grovels in front of Elizabeth Warren for a pardon.
43
@Rick Pearson If he loses the election, he is likely to resign before the end of his, a deal having been made with Pence for a pardon.
5
@M Q That is very possible but it will not help for any investigations or indictments on the state level.
6
@M Q Pardon for what? He won't be tried and convicted by Jan. 21, 2021.
3
You may not believe it but the dog ate his tax returns!
24
@Nat
If he had a dog!
10
@Ihaveanotheropinion
He does not like dogs. I bet he does not even like animals. He made Ivana get rid of her dog. I bet the only animal he likes is the goat he has at his golf course in NJ because he can claim it is farm and get a tax deduction. Maybe he likes some of the swamp creatures he installed in his cabinet.
BTW: Trump has been known to shred documents when being investigated in the past.
4
@Ihaveanotheropinion No, no, no dog needed for his supporters to believe him.
3
Trump should be praising the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, they are trying to help him fulfill a campaign promise.
And he's had so little success on the front of keeping his promises on the Wall and winning, you'd think he'd welcome a promise being implemented.
17
45 and his lesions (no. I typed lesions, not legions, as in "any damage or abnormal exchange in the tissue of an organism")
have given us so many heart-stopping moments. the crumpling of our Constitution. Nepotism. Money-grubbing from his trump-y realty. the high-handed and royal tones coming from that sodden mass of flesh, when he is able to articulate without snafus, incoherencies or flubs. if I had one wish, I would wish for the power to evaporate such unfortunate things. as for the tax returns - crumple them and stuff them, in 45, where the sun don't shine.
18
I love your optimism. If this President comply’s with this subpoena it will be a first. I would not hold your breath.
11
I’m getting weary with all these “ teases” about Trump being investigated. Do something prosecutors!! John Dean wrote this yesterday : “Dems need to get into high gear & start litigating 45's stonewalling in court! I honestly feel like this is the last chance. If 45 wins again, there will be no independent judiciary. We need to keep House & flip Senate if you care about democracy!”
33
@Mike
Seriously - do you not see it??
I reply not to be rude, but only because you're so close to thinking on your own!
I know because I've been there.
You've recognized the pattern of 'teases', you've wondered why they always just fade away into oblivion - but you lose it at explaining that fact.
It's not that there's nobody willing to prosecute the man - that should be obvious. If there was any factual evidence to use against Trump - trust me - it wouldn't fade away.
The bulk of the press has been trying to destroy his character from day one, and they're willing to continue with these 'teases' (aka propaganda) to convince you to vote for the democratic party.
I'm NOT a trump supporter. I USED to be a democrat, but the party left me.
If you want to defeat Trump in 2020, I'm afraid it can only be done with REAL logic - REAL alternatives.
His oponents already hate him, and his supporters recognize the propaganda machine.
That very mcahine is what led to his election in the first place.
TIme for the democrats to come back to earth.
Come back with something attractive and sensible - trying to topple trump by entangling him in made up controversy is the best way to get him relected.
4
@Gaul Bladder Trump does not need outside influence to damage his character, he has succeeded in that regard on his own. There is no logical defense of Trump at this point.
5
@Gaul Bladder
No his supporters see what they want to see. They disregard the lies (12,000 at last count). They believe his lies and empty promises. We in NY knew way back when what a grafter he was. A blowhard who believes his own publicity. I pity that they will never see through him and find it amazing that they hold him, as do the repubs to a much lower standard than anyone before him.
3
This must be causing a lot of heartburn in the Trump family. The great state of New York is about to throw down on Don The Con, and Criminal AG William Barr can't stop the parade. Good riddance.
24
@Markymark
Have you considered writing for the New York Times?
3
Loudly and slowly “Hallelujah”
17
Sickening calumny and wild accusations from the left. Every time the left’s agenda is thwarted, it sees an assault on democracy. I would suggest that you read the Tenth Amendment and explain how a national health plan can be constitutional. A elastic Constitution? A living document? Sorry, folks! Try the amendment process.
3
I believe this article is about the criminal activity within the State of New York. A state in which, last I checked, the law applied to its residents.
27
A.G.Barr will shut down the Manhattan District Attorney's office to protect Trump, oh wait he can't do that perhaps a team of 100 lawyers will go to the supreme court and ask Kavenaugh to shut down the investigation. Tru7mp will be tweeting like a madman again right after he launches an attack to defend Saudi's honor.
13
I pay my taxes. Ever since the first job I had in my 75 years of life as soon as I made enough money (barely) to owe federal and state taxes. Everyone reading this, I naively assume all of you (or at least most of you) pay your taxes.
Since when is the President of the United States exempt from paying his taxes? Is a government "servant," or is he the first emperor of a once free and law abiding country?
Al Capone, one one of the most notorious gangsters and criminals in USA history mostly in my birth town of Chicago openly flaunted the the law for many years. He was finally brought down by not paying his taxes.
How wonderful and inspiring it would be to see Donald Trump sent to prison for tax evasion! I am a life long atheist. I pray for Donald Trump to be sent to a North Korean prison camp, supervised by his benevolent friend Kim, alternating with a trip to a Siberian gulag supervised by Trump's paragon of ethics Vladimir Putin. China's Xi, another paragon of ethics and virtue should also get to help supervise Trump as he works off his debt to you and me.
31
@SK Let Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows' spin round your listening device. Always a benevolent friend to tortured minds with sensibilities in common.
3
@SK
With all due respect, thank you for showing everybody who well propaganda works.
Allowing the news media to form your thoughts for you can makes you sound really silly to those who haven't been caught up in the hype.
2
@Gaul Bladder
Al Capone openly flaunted his ability to get away with flouting the law.
There's a difference between "flaunt" and "flout".
For the love of god, leave the guy alone with the taxes already!!!
I'm not even a Trump supporter, but I do have a respect for personal privacy.
These people are like spoiled children, hellbent on having their way no matter what. It's sickening.
It's PERSONAL INFORMATION - you have NO right to it, no matter how curious you are about it. GET OVER IT.
And people wonder how he still has so much support - this kind of thing just emboldens them - ensuring a 2020 win.
5
@Gaul Bladder
He told us that he built his fortune with a "very very small loan" from his father. I turned out that he really got $413,000,000. Don't you want to know whether he paid ANY taxes over the years?
25
@Maurice Wolfthal
NO I don't! I want the IRS to know whether he paid the necessary taxes.
It's none of MY business.
I the IRS finds something wrong during an audit - then we can talk. Until then, Trump's tax returns aren't any more your business then my tax returns.
3
Why doe a the President have a right to personal privacy with his business dealings? I’ve never ever in my whole life heard a President should be left alone about his financial activities.
13
Even Al Capone was brought down by tax return problems, and he was sent to the federal maximum security prison in Atlanta. Gives me yet one more reason to look forward to January 21, 2021.
15
@Diogenes the Cynic
Who said anything about tax fraud???
This has only ever been an attempt to expose Trump's personal information so that he can be ridiculed for following our tax laws to his advantage.
If there was any fraudulent activity, that'd be taken care of by the IRS. Not you, and not me.
2
Surely you’ve noticed that the IRS has been gutted by Trump, which needs much more than just a skeleton crew to serve the nation. Trump has also kneecapped the Department of Justice. If we had a Department of Psychiatries, he would have crippled that threat as well.
4
A subpoena is just a piece of paper unless you can enforce it. Yeah, good luck with that.
4
I really don't get it - why do so many people feel entitled to review another citizen's tax returns?
They talk here as if they're owed this information!
It's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
The government has enough power in demanding income information from all of us so that they can take some of it - allowing the governemnt to SHARE that information is just too far.
Yeah yeah yeah - if there's nothing to hide it shouldn't matter.
Save it.
You may be fine sharing your own income numbers with the world, but many aren't, and that's all you need to know. End of story.
It's the IRS's job to look for fraud and illegal practices. If they can't find anything wrong, then it doesn't default to you to look.
It's this with juvenile, witch-hunt metality that's going to get the man re-elected in 20.
4
@Gaul Bladder Because Trump said he would to the American people using it as a campaign promise.
A Contract offered, a contract accepted, a contract broken. A fully enforceable contract.
14
@Gaul Bladder
This is not "another citizen", Gaul. This is the president of our country. I certainly want to know if he paid taxes or not. Or was fraudulent in the payment of such taxes. It was good enough for other presidents (whom we could trust), then it's good enough for this guy.
8
I do not care about his taxes - I care that he’s an open criminal and his taxes are part of that evidence.
11
Trump is so proud of avoiding taxes but he doesn't want to share how he does it. Why is that? Please do show since you said you would!
14
The author could have saved all of us (including himself) a lot of time if this article consisted of one sentence, “The president will continue to be above the law.” If there is one safe prediction about what comes next, it’s that this won’t lead to any meaningful consequences.
During the Mueller Hearings, Barr and the congressional Republicans repeatedly affirmed that Trump was above the law. Indeed, this has held true since the day he took office.
With the USA’s transition to kleptocracy, the Republicans’ betrayal of the country is complete. Far from being the patriots they pose as, the GOP, like malaria, is parasitically evading the country's own defences and sucking the marrow out of the Republic.
25
How strange that someone who has spent his whole life boasting about his assets wouldn't leap at the chance to prove to the world exactly how much they are worth. Very peculiar.
36
@Bob. Ditto on the great grades at the best schools, but no transcripts, please.
4
@loveman0 No truer words have ever been said but in Jest.. Your sarcasm NAILED IT!!!!
3
Get 'em done!
2
There is NO WAY anyone will see his tax returns because it's no one's business. If there were problems the IRS is the Federal Agency charged with oversight. If the Democrat politicians know of ANY issues with his return they can contact the IRS and give them the actionable information, so they can follow up. As in all civil or criminal cases the government must spell out the crime being charged, otherwise this is a fishing trip, which is unconstitutional. All the Trump haters will have to come up some other reason to challenge the outcome of the election. If Nadler and the other corrupt pols worked on the peoples' business as hard as they tried to get rid of Trump the country would be better off.
1
@sob
Silly rabbit.
Trump is exactly the businessman/criminal that conservatives have been prosecuting for decades.
15
Getting rid of a corrupt president IS doing the people's business.
22
@sob maybe there might not be things for concern of the IRS, but it could show things that are in conflict with New York law, and laws that govern a president.
12
If justice prevails and NY state prosecutors get Trump's tax returns, and if they are made public through legal proceedings this will be the biggest and most humiliating defeat for Trump yet. The returns likely will show how little Trump actually made, despite his boasts of enormous wealth and business success, and further will show how he manipulated what income he had to avoid taxes and cheat the American people.
24
@Lan Sluder
Not a Trump fan here, but I beg you and others who share your views to think about what you're saying.
You're so desperate to catch trump at something that all common sense has gone out the window.
Tax records are private information. We are forced by our government to disclose our income to them, and it is the government's responsibility to guard that information at all costs.
If Trump did anything worng on his taxes, it's up to the IRS to find that - not you - not Rachel Maddow - not a new york attorney.
It's as simple as that.
I get not liking the man - but let's not corrupt our government for the sake of making him look bad - it's not worth it.
And buy promoting this line of thinking, you're virtually guaranteeing he gets re-elected.
@Gaul Bladder
Releasing the tax info would do a lot to remove the general perception that trump is enriching himself while in office. As a public servant, some privacies go away.
9
The courts will decide what the law on this is, not your partisan idea of what the law should be.
5
Had nothing ever been uncovered about Manafort and Michael Cohen's activities neither would be in prison and they would still be living high on their illegal gains. Curiously it was both Manafort's and Cohen's involvement in the Trump campaign that lead to the uncovering of their activities and prison, and it is Trump's presidency that is leading to the uncovering of Trump's activities. Trump is scared and It is this fear, this panic that drives Trump to fight so desperately to prevent the release of his tax returns, returns he never had intention of releasing despite a false campaign promise to the contrary. Trump knows that if his tax returns are obtained that the depth of his nefarious activities will be uncovered - they however must be obtained and this odious presidency ended.
30
What could possibly be in these tax returns? Billions of debts and hundreds of thousands of assets?
22
@Bob Au contraire; he's likely broke and has nothing but loans and deductions.
5
Billions of debts to Russia.
10
@Bob
Perhaps, but I can tell you what SHOULDN'T be there - your nose.
It's safe to assume his taxes show ties to Russian oligarchs and other serious problems that directly affect his stature and presidency. Otherwise there would be nothing to hide.
24
@greg I would go further and say Trumpet is desperately hiding a large negative net worth and very risky loans held by foreign banks.
3
@ultimateliberal Revlon has a situation of negative shareholder's equity, yet they still post positive profits. You don't know very much about finance, do you? Equity is largely irrelevant, it's cash flow that matters.
"“It’s just harassment of the president, his family and his business, using subpoenas as weapons,” Mr. Mukasey said last month."
In that case, Mr. Mukasey, all this poor, persecuted, lily white-souled Individual #1 has to do is provide his tax returns like he said he would in 2016. But that was over 12,000 documented lies ago. Poor, poor little dictator is about to get really cranky. He might throw a tantrum and fire you!
43
Remember when Trump tweeted again AT&T merger? AT&T hired Michael Cohen to help. Trump stopped tweeting.
Same with Vance now. Time to make some money, that’s all.
Anybody who thinks otherwise - you must also not understand why corruption and propaganda has led to some otherwise brilliant countries to still be “developing nations”
4
Dear Trump Supporters, The bed you make is the bed you lie in.
You want to accept illegal and immoral and selfish behavior by the President, then it will come around to bite you. Just saying, what goes around comes around.
The hurricane or flooding or fires you get are just payback.
When Medicare goes bankrupt because of all of Reagan Bush and Trump tax cuts, you can just save up for your health care costs. That Medicare program is socialist anyway, isn't it? We don't need the money for infrastructure, we can let privateers rebuild things and then just pay tolls everywhere. When your grandkid is killed in a mass shooting, you can just say well at least my 2nd amendment rights to bear concealed assault weapons is intact. No Socialist Security for you and your neighbors, but it may make the neighbors steal from you so not to starve. Just sayin. When ya get cancer from pollution from cars and coal plants, you can just pay for the chemo yourself (because socialist Medicare won't).
What goes around comes around.
40
... “harassment of the president, his family and his business, using subpoenas as weapons.”
The pot calling the kettle black!
Trump has weaponized the legal system for decades to defraud investors, avoid paying contractors, etc.
Nice to see him get a taste of his own medicine!
And why can’t we all see those tax returns if he has nothing to hide?
32
@Steve Collins
I don't get it - how does a private citizen weaponize the legal system?
By following the law to one's personal advantage?
@Steve Collins
And Guiliani, of course, harassed John Gotti and his legitimate family and business interests.
4
@Gaul Bladder
You get a Cohen type attorney to do what Cohen did for trump.
2
Some day, historians will look back on the Trump presidency and reveal a gigantic mushroom cloud of nefariousness in all its detail. in the meanwhile, we're all hanging on my a thread and if His Heinous has his way, the truth will be forever buried, along with the rubble of the planet.
13
Wow, I didn't know Vance had it in him. He must have finally recused himself.
4
He reports to Leticia James now and she takes no prisoners.
4
Trump knows by now he’s above the law, immune to such nettlesome matters. My bet: he’s never going to release his tax returns in anything like their full forms. Never. And it sickens me to no end.
15
In the past there have been many high-profile criminals and political figures (and some who were both) who got away with their crimes over and over again.
And then the roof came crashing down.
Everything is good, Donald...until it isn’t.
You and your grifter family will RUE the day you won (um, stole) the election.
Oh, the potential, inevitable irony. Shakespeare would be standing up and wildly applauding.
11/3/20. VOTE.
20
It boggles my mind that we are 3 years into this mess and nobody has seen his tax returns. I mean, it's beyond comprehension.
I can't believe it's taken this long to subpoena them. Frankly, I can't believe they haven't simply been leaked yet.
21
@QTCatch10 I believe Mr. Muller might have it, but Muller being Muller, he never spits the beans or so to say.
1
Not going to happen. Trump’s team of modern Roy Cohns will delay. Will endlessly appeal any unfavorable rulings and stall some more. A resolution will be deferred until the end of Trump’s second term if he gets one. And if he does it will not matter anyway.
7
Is this announcement yet another diversion or a promise of good news to come? Let's see; we have Kavanaugh 2.0, we may be going to war with Iran, we're still wondering where Alabama is, and if she's been "sharpied" into another part of our national geography, what's going on with the price of oil, and now ..... we're back to Trump's tax returns! Oh, my aching head ......
9
Like Rip Van Winkle I'm gonna go to sleep for forty (40) years and when I wake up PERHAPS Trump's tax returns will have been released.
Perhaps. . .
5
@James Thurber The last time Rip van Winkle took a nap, when he woke up in 1981 and was told Ronald Reagan was President, he responded by asking, "The actor?!"
Dems using subpoenae as a political weapon, yet again
it is truly disturbing, and awful abuse of power.
3
Trump said he would show them and hasn't. Why is that?
4
@Joe Yoh
It is not "abuse" to pursue appropriate legal routes in the pursuit of justice. Besides, he said he would release them. Where are they? If he planned to release them, why would this new attempt to release them bother anyone?
4
He isn’t going to be able to hide forever. He lied when during the 2016 campaign he promised to release the returns as soon as the IRS completed its audit. When the IRS said that he could immediately release the returns he came up with another lie promising to release the returns if he was elected.
The question should be is what is he hiding that he is afraid for the American people to know? Hopefully we will soon find out.
Jan Bauman
San Rafael CA 94903
22
Since Pelosi and company have failed to act, and continue to fail to act, with the urgency this obviously required, it falls to the States to save us. God bless New York.
31
Surely 'reimbursement' is where you settle (pay) with someone who has spent their own money on your behalf?
You know, like getting your employer to 'reimburse' you for your out of pocket, on the job, travel expenses.
Trump isn't alleged to have 'reimbursed' Ms Daniels for anything. Surely?
Hush money is hush money. A bribe is a bribe. Not a reimbursement.
19
"....a criminal investigation into the role that the president and his family business played in hush-money payments made in the run-up to the election."
"...."it becomes a felony only if prosecutors can prove that the false filing was made to commit or conceal another crime, such as tax violations or bank fraud. "
Mike Cohen has ALREADY testified bank fraud - by inflating net worth and valuations on loan documents - DID HAPPEN.
Dig, dig, dig.
The crime family must be jailed.
24
Dear Dems,
Don't bother with any more subpoenas unless you all are ready, the day you serve the subpoena, to follow up arrests for non-compliance.
No more "waiting," and "we'll see what the response is..."
I want to see very public perp walks of all the criminals in Trump's gov. who are refusing to obey the law.
30
@SLB Exactly!
2
The only way any government official will ever see any of Trump's tax returns is if they are leaked. Otherwise, Trump et. al. will keep the process tied-up in court for decades.
12
In his own words:
"If I decide to run for office, I'll produce my tax returns, absolutely," he said. "And I would love to do that."
"Well, we're working on that now. I have very big returns, as you know, and I have everything all approved and very beautiful and we'll be working that over in the next period of time, Chuck. Absolutely."
"As far as my return, I want to file it, except for many years, I've been audited every year."
"Probably over the next few months."
"I've had it for years. I get audited. And obviously if I'm being audited, I'm not going to release a return," he said. "As soon as the audit is done, I love it."
"I would love to put them out," he said. "But I'm not going to do it while I'm under audit. It's very simple.”
"Tax experts throughout the media agree that no sane person would give their tax returns during an audit."
23
@Maurice Wolfthal What if, wait for it, there is NO AUDIT?
10
ALL of our public servants need to be held to a higher standard. And that means financial transparency. It's clear that Republicans do not see it this way.
33
@Hanna Warren has a plan for that. :-)
3
I contested a minor assessment that I considered unfair and was hounded and threatened by the IRS. Yet the President of the United States doesn’t pay any tax refuses to hand over his tax returns because he’s got something to hide and the IRS are powerless to do anything.
34
Too bad that accidental fire destroyed all those financial records! Oh, that's right! That "accident" is scheduled for later this week...
37
Unbelievable how difficult it is for anyone to see Trump's tax returns with all his cronies ignoring subpoenas. What on earth does he have to hide? That is what Americans want to know. Is he is hock to other countries? Is he compromised? We have a right to know. The republicans have not been acting in the interest of protecting this country. They have been breaking laws to protect Trump. Why? Americans want to know and have a right to know. He is not a king; he is a public servant paid for with our tax dollars and he needs to answer to us. Never forget it.
56
@kay Whatever it is, it’s real big and real ugly. There’s simply no other explanation for the behavior. We all know we have a criminal president. Sadly the people who should have stood up to him have, almost without exception, failed to do so.
16
Let us know when he has turned them over.
15
Only honest Americans truly fear an IRS audit. Those with multiple layers of lawyers sleep like babies.
28
@Glen I totally disagree. Honest Americans have ready, truthful answers for the IRS and need not fear their mistakes, if any were made. I think what honest people fear most is embarrassment at having underpaid, and thinking their mistakes may land them in prison. NOT!
All we careless, honest people need to do is pay the balance if we underpaid. The IRS does not bite the hand that feeds it.
1
@ultimateliberal
You have a point there, ultimateliberal. And that is Trump's problem. He can't afford to pay the amount he "underpaid" because, despite his claims, he doesn't have the means to pay what he owes. And his "mistake" was deliberately lying in the first place, so it was by no means "honest."
His "wealth" is all leverage. Wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't own any of his properties free and clear.
1
It doesn't matter one iota if it's "politically motivated". The only think that matters is if it's legal.
Certainly, the endlessly litigious GOP understands this. And it's just another example of the modern GOP's ceaseless and never ending hypocrisy and duplicity that even allows them to suggest, with a straight face, that because this may have a political component, that's it's "beyond the pale!".
I seriously can't remember the last time a Republican told the unvarnished truth about anything. I also can't remember the last time the GOP was, morally speaking, on the right side of any issue. I seriously can't.
All I can say, is I hope this subpoena produces the kind of actionable evidence that can finally hold the feet of the career criminal currently occupying the White House to the fire where they always belonged.
47
Might this latest development be related to a referral from Mr. Mueller's Special Counsel investigation? if so, thank you Mr. Mueller.
15
I don't care what the President's tax return looks like, I will vote for him, regardless. He has done much of what he promised and has more left to complete.
And, to be honest, I would rather see Pelosi’s or Maxine Waters’ tax returns. They made fortunes on government salaries, i.e., you tax money.
3
@Anne P. what has he done that he promised? Build the wall and Mexico will pay for it? Nope. Sections of the wall have been repaired, but no new wall built. Release his tax returns as he promised he would do if he won? Nope. Drain the swamp? Nope. Filled it with creatures from the black lagoon. Given everyone really, really great healthcare coverage? Nope. Repealed the ACA? Nope. Given everyone tax breaks? Nope. Only the wealthy have seen any benefit from his tax plan. Please tell me what he has accomplished. Be specific.
35
He did everything he promised? One of the biggest promises he made was that Mexico was going to pay for his wall. Mexico isn’t paying for the wall. It is the taxpayers and the military as he took billions of dollars from the military budget in order to fund his wall.
28
which specific promise has he fulfilled? Putting hispanic children behind bars? That's the promise that made your heart fulfilled? Or was is moving the embassy in Israel? Your personal interests are in no way representative, nor more important, of the rest of Americans.
22
Although I hope not but nothing is going to come of this either.
5
@Alan C. The State governments aren’t all under his thumb yet. Looks like they are our best hope. I think there’s a real shot here.
8
Trump is a trust fund baby complete with tantrums. A far cry from that brilliant, self-made businessman story he often tells at his rallies.
36
Subpoenas don’t matter to trump. He knows the law doesn’t pertain to him.
20
Trump has committed many crimes, that is obvious. Does the justice system work? Not perfectly. Or sometimes at all. I look forward it working well.
14
Thank you to Mr. Vance for persisting.
Funny thing about the July timing of concluding the federal investigation. That same month, Barr decided not to bring federal civil rights charges against the police officer who killed Eric Garner. He reinstated the death penalty for federal crimes. Barr decided in July not to recuse himself from the Epstein case even though his own father had once hired the unqualified Epstein. And Barr continued to stonewall the Congressional requests pertaining to the Mueller report.
Barr's DOJ closed up shop on a lot of investigations or normal procedures in July 2019. Cleaning up before the 2020 election? This has backfired badly.
28
@SMB
You should thank Vance for letting Don Jr. and Ivanka walk. You should also thank him for looking away from the accusations against Harvey Weinstein.
Vance has made a career out of letting the wealthy and privileged walk, while setting records for convicting the poor and the non-white.
If Vance had done his job, Trump might not be president right now. If he had done his job fewer women would have been abused by Weinstein.
Just check on his record. Unfortunately much of this information was not made public until shortly before the election, too late to take Vance off the ballot. He is trying to make amends now, and maybe get re-elected
4
Where is the whistle blower willing to reveal Trump's tax returns to The New York Times or other credible news agency? Felt, Ellsberg, Tripp and others stepped forward to help sustain some degree of honesty in government. Corruption and threats to our democracy are now much worse and at least so far, nothing but silence on Trump's tax returns.
Soldiers risk their lives every day to protect our nation's Constitution. Civilians need to step up despite the risks.
39
@A Goldstein
Maybe Wikileaks should do something.
Maybe Edward Snowden should, if he really wants to come back. That would secure a pardon from me.
How hard can it be to hack Trump's tax return?
11
@cl Let’s try this: “Russia, if you’re listening...”
That’s ACTUALLY a joke. But, you know, if they had them, I’d take them.
That’s also a joke. Unlike the President I would prefer not to implicate myself in the crime should it occur. So, Russia, if you’re listening... hands off.
4
If state prosecutors get the returns, the returns cannot be made public unless the case goes to trial, which cannot happen until Trump leaves office. Of course, reporters across the country will be offered a huge bonus if they can convince an insider to break the law. If you see a crowd around the DA’s office, they're all reporters. Of course, it is unethical for the media to pay a source. (Wink, wink).
@michjas
Who says the case cannot go to trial until Trump leaves office? The Dep't of Justice guidelines bind only federal prosecutors. Federalism, enshrined in the Constitution, prevents it from applying to states.
Of course, all the Federalist Society hacks Trump has put on the federal bench will do anything they can to court his favor in hopes of appointment to a higher court. Of course, it's unethical for judges to play politics with their rulings (wink, wink).
Ask Bill Clinton about the President being immune to being a party to a court case.
30
@Garak. Federal law takes precedent over state law. It’s called the supremacy clause. Know your Constitution.
@michja
Precedence, maybe. But it doesn't negate state law. Nor, in this matter, does it prevent proceedings. Because there is NO constitutional clause, no federal law of immunity to protect a president from prosecution.
The only thing shielding No.45 right now is administrative - ie Dept of Justice POLICY. Oh, and stymie-cover from Mitch McConnell in the Senate of course.
Hats of to New York. And, to California who passed a law today requiring presidential candidates to release tax returns to appear on the state's ballot.
55
@Matt Von Ahmad Silverstein Chong. Careful what you wish for. If California can require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns, Mississippi can require them to disclose whether they have ever paid for an abortion
4
@michjas - And your point is?
3
@michjas Under penalty of perjury? I'd like to see Trump's answer to that question.
4
In the world of security clearances, there are facts regarding clearances that are immutable. (1) Your life is an open book to those investigating you. (2) Your tax returns belong to the Government and are open to investigators. (3) Your complete credit history is open to the investigators under federal law. (4) Your criminal records, right down to traffic violations and petty crimes are made available to investigators. (5) Mental health is reviewed and serious aberrations can disqualify you. (6) Travel to foreign nations or relationships with foreign citizens and governments are scrutinized for any indication of influence. (7) These areas and others are reviewed in detail before a clearance is granted and, for a TS clearance, are reviewed every 5 years and, for a secret clearance, every 10 years - unless sooner if there are indications that any of the other 6 areas are violated. Election to the Presidency makes issuance of a TS clearance with access to special compartmented information (SCI) automatic but the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has conducted at least preliminary investigations of all candidates for the office. If a candidate has already been in government service, investigations and security records are available. In Trump's case, the investigation had to start at the beginning. That doesn't mean he and others can't lie, a federal crime if caught. But, it's not something he or his staff can dodge. something went wrong with Trump.
26
Does anyone really expect trump to comply. He regards himself as omnipotent and therefore not subject to laws, the courts or the demands of men.
27
Why are they doing this. Just because they have evidence of signed checks, a tape, witnesses, and a clear intent to break the law, don't they realize Trump's personal lawyer, Barr, says that he is above the law, and his other lawyer, Guiliani, that his behavior with Ms. Daniels was customary and normal for rich people. And we can assume that all those Republicans in Congress go along with this being a "witch hunt" because this kind of behavior is also customary and normal for them, especially cheating, breaking the law, in elections.
They are planning this again. Still no paper ballot back-up or push back on foreign interference, not even an accounting of Russian money funneled through the NRA, plus heavy gerrymandering and repeated efforts to keep minorities from voting.
39
A wise person follows the advice of the IRS and gets rid of tax documents that are more than three years old. So they can get tax information for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Stephanie Clifford was old news to Trump by then. But they may find enough to charge her with extortion.
4
@Richard Wright
Remember that Trump said he could not present his tax returns because they were being audited, the IRS has his tax returns. Also it is a Trumps' responsibility to present those returns, so his accountants better get working.
17
@Julie correct / three years AFTER the return is filed or finalized.
3
@Richard Wright an individual can destroy their copies of tax returns, but the state and federal tax collectors have them forever.
9
Yes.
Where are the records?
I've known many accountants, bankers, bean counters, auditors, managers, CEO's and all can tell you this one thing:
If they have to produce documents, they can do it before 10am.
Congress should send over the Sargent At Arms with some guys and a hand truck. To pick up the documents.
Where are the records? Why is it taking so long? Why hasn't someone been arrested for obstructing justice?
44
Rome had Caligula as an emperor, and survived
we will survive Trump...and to use a good NYC phrase, my instincts are that all the "tsoris" and invective he has graced us with will in the end improve this wonderful experiment that we call democracy.
Trump has abused all and every standard under which we live.
32
Trump and the GOP cheated to win the 2016 presidential election, and there can be no national forgiveness, nor healing, without accountability for those involved. I haven't an iota of sympathy for any of them. They must fall. Not democracy. Nobody is above the law!
57
Russia... if you’re listening, I hope you can find trump’s taxes and make them public... I think you’ll be rewarded mightily by our press.
But yeah, that isn’t going to happen... he’s the best long term investment Russia has ever made.
48
@Victor Cook Hope you're wrong but I can't help to feel that you are right.
He's spending so much to keep it hidden.
17
Another indication of the Mad Hatter nature of this administration is that instead of the fed stepping in to prosecute when a state fails in its duty, the state is stepping in because the fed has failed in its duty. And not a moment too soon.
44
I live for the day I get to see finally see Trump in a courtroom. At this point I really don't care for what reason but I think there is a goldmine of criminal charges once the prosecutors follow the money through his tax returns. Of course his tax returns will be 100% false but still enough to convict.
However I'm not holding my breath!
29
I want to know right now how much money Trump has taken in the past 10 yrs from Saudi Arabia.
34
@fast/furious past TEN months is where most of it would have happened.
6
In the unlikely event Trump's tax documents ever see the light of day, nothing will change. As others have noted, Trump has no intention of leaving office should he lose in 2020.
I absolutely believe Trump's tax records should be released. He has perpetrated a fraud on US citizens for long enough. But should they be released, this will only strengthen Trump's resolve to stay in office. As I understand this, Trump is facing state criminal charges once he leaves office (assuming the statutes of limitations for these crimes haven't run). These charges may not be pardoned. He has every incentive to stay exactly where he is.
We should not consider Trump's tax returns in a vacuum. What we must understand is that any incriminating evidence against Trump will be wholly ignored by Trump's base, as it has for these past three years. They will not change. But what we must understand about them is that many millions of them are heavily armed, and will do literally anything on his behalf, including taking up arms against their neighbors.
If you believe this is extreme, Robert Reich has made similar warnings in his article in today's Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/15/donald-trump-nuts-impeachment-25th-amendment-2020-election
Very few people understand the severity of what is going on here. Many just assume Trump will leave if he loses next year's election. If you're one of those people, I have some beachfront property in Wyoming to send you.....
17
September 16, 2019
Just keep in mind the tax reports may not conform to accounting standards reporting for being certified or not. Yet let's give it a go for interpretation and financial style. The more we can learn about our President the better for our system for good faith and honorable taxpayer integrity.
8
Keep digging. And then go after the Emoluments Clause.
37
I wonder why Obama chose to accept the low cost rates offered for putting up service personnel at Trump’s property. He could have had the government pay more for overnight stays elsewhere.
@Richard Wright
Mr Obama isn't POTUS - and Mr Obama isn't under investigation, either.
3
@Richard Wright I'm giving you the benefit of a doubt that you''re being facetious because your comment makes no sense
2
Since Trump/Barr have captured federal justice, our last best hope is the states.
Let's get the truth!
41
According to conventional thought if you try to hold him accountable it just makes him stronger but if you don't hold him accountable it makes you look weak. Conventional thought is why we're in this mess.
13
Trump, from the time of his announcement to run, declared that he was not beholden to anyone since he initially funded his campaign himself. Would that not have been sufficient cause to examine his personal and business finances under Federal campaign laws? He doesn’t give State of the Union Addresses because he would be impeachable for lying before Congress. But lying everywhere to everyone else is okay. Because laws are for chumps.
22
Cyrus Vance? The Manhattan DA who let Ivanka & Donald Junior off, aka "dropped charges" on their involvement in a criminal case on the Trump SoHo project from a 2010 investigation?
Cyrus Vance, the DA who got a visit from Trump's attorney, Marc Kasowitz in early 2012, who then made a hefty donation of $25K to his campaign (that Vance "eventually" returned a few months later - AFTER the Trump kids charges were dropped)?
THAT Cyrus Vance? The guy that, once the Trump SoHo case was dropped, then reaccepted - again, months later - another hefty donation from Marc Kasowitz to his campaign (a donation that this time, he did NOT return)? THAT CY VANCE is in charge of another Trump investigation?!?
I don't expect much. Clearly, Vance is a player with empty pockets, just waiting to be "filled..."
21
@KatieAnnieOakley
Don't forget he did not pursue Harvey Weinstein. Yeah, that same Cy Vance.
@KatieAnnieOakley you’re absolutely right. Now we hear from Vance, finally. He is a disgrace as a prosecutor.
Remember when Trump said he'd "absolutely" release his tax returns? Of course, that was a(nother) lie. Heck, I'd be happy if someone from UPenn/Wharton would leak Trump's college transcripts. comically, to this day, I still read comments from Trumpers complaining, er, whining that Obama's transcripts were never released.
25
Two campaign promises:
1. I’ll build the wall
2. I’ll release my taxes.
Hellbent on keeping #1 (Kinda, cause Mexico isn’t paying).
Hellbent on ensuring #2 never happens.
What gives?
18
Lock him up as he so eloquently says ... what goes around comes around .
12
The federal justice department has a policy (it is only a policy, not an order, regulation or law) that advises against indicting a sitting president. But I have never heard of any policy or law that prevents a state prosecutor from prosecuting a sitting president for violations of state law.
I will appreciate comment addressing this question by others more qualified than I am.
8
@Bruce McLellan
I amend my comment above: is there concurrent jurisdiction of certain federal laws such as FEC violations that allow prosecutions of a setting president by the states?
1
@Bruce McLellan The FEC was planned to have no teeth, which today is not even a mandate to meet.
2
There goes the lying press again. They keep saying Cohen went to jail for three years for campaign finance violations. The fact is he plead guilty to eight different charges, of which one was campaign finance related. The meaty charges had nothing to do with campaign finance, but they don't involve Trump, so they get ignored . No campaign finance violation was proven at trial and it's unclear a case on that charge alone could be won by prosecutors with respect to Cohen, forget Trump who relied on his counsel's advice. Whether it is deliberately excluding exculpatory evidence (like this weekend with Kavanaugh), or misleading on important facts, media credibility is shot.
7
@TL
That's what they are working on in NY right now, which also includes the possibility of expanding the charges.
The IRS chief and the IRS legal counsel are both Trump appointees as well as business associates of Trump. That’s no accident. We’ll never see his tax returns and even if we do, they’ll most likely be doctored. Democracy no longer exists under Trump. The final nail in the coffin will be when he refuses to leave office and the GOP supports his excuses as to why. He’s already sowing the seeds.
31
@Kelly F. Yes, I fully expect a nuclear level tantrum if he's not re-elected. Expect him to ruin the dignity of the office for the last and most dramatic time.
8
Even though Trump can't outrun the law and the truth forever, it is prudent to temper one's expectations that anything damaging will come of this latest twist regarding Trump's tax returns. He is slippery enough to evade the law and has placed sycophantic allies in powerful positions who are probably willing to fall on their own swords to protect him. Trump's web of corruption no doubt runs very deep.
25
Behavior that usually means someone is hiding something may not mean the same for trump. Frankly and I could be wrong but the guy just has a personality where he can’t handle anybody telling him anything. If people say release your tax returns, he says, “no way!” He can’t help himself and its partly what appeals to his supporters.
There very well may be nothing there. Look at it this way too, if he acts like he’s hiding things everywhere, it will be harder to tell where he actually is, so for a crook, universal belligerence is not actually a bad strategy.
9
@Aaron
I get your point, but believe me, he is hiding something.
17
IT will fight in courts. might happen, might not.
Anyone else gobsmacked that president trumps tax returns haven’t leaked?
In a White House that leaks like a sieve and with business employees who treat life like reality tv how is it possible that the only secret kept has been his tax returns.
Weird.
61
I'm willing to bet the files were isolated as soon as the WH team could move in. They were removed from network storage and kept in physical format.
The chain of people responsible for securing the returns at the IRS are probably reminded on the daily that their lives will be a legal and financial nightmare if a leak happens.
19
@Mike G
And very possibly an existential nightmare. I don't put it past this crew.
4
I am so glad at least somebody is doing their job and going after Trump and his tax returns.
50
@Rax
Cyrus Vance would have trouble running a lemonade stand.
8
Obviously, Mr. Trump will fight any release of his tax returns tooth and nail. He will only be forced to release the returns under a court order, and the courts are now stacked in his favor. This is what wealth and privilege buys you.
19
@Jackie
Say it ain’t so.
2
A subpoena IS “a court order”
6
It sure would be poetic justice if Trump ended up in NYS prison system. He'll say he's the most popular inmate ever. Too bad no tweeting from prison. /s
37
@Character Counts
Would we be able to see him on visiting day?
1
@Character Counts
Hope to see this in my lifetime. But don't hold your breath for him to be placed in general population.
4
Good news Mr president: Your kleptomania and narcissism are pre-existing conditions and, as such, you are covered for treatment under Obamacare. What a relief for you that Moscow Mitch couldn't muster the votes to overturn the Affordable Care Act! I suggest you make a note to send a small gift of thanks to your predecessor.
And, Mr president, more good news: Your successor is working on universal healthcare, not just for you but for every American.
33
@David Westcott
Universal healthcare will NEVER happen here.
@Mike DeMaio.
That's what the folks in Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom said at one time.
And most of these countries have a greater life expectancy than we Americans.
7
@Mike DeMaio. It's inevitable, and makes a lot of sense.
4
this DA has mismanaged so many cases he can only be classified as a clown worthy of a job in Trump world. The best Vance could do here is not get in the way by somehow getting a ruling that totally protects the returns from real investigators. Stand down Cy and let the pros handle this.
18
Democrats please stop you are going to hand Trump another win do something other than bring lawsuit after frivolous lawsuit.when you you finally do talk policy it is so far left that even me and my fellow democratic friends find it impossible to be able to get behind please for the love of everything just give it up and get on topic
18
@EAH His lies and corruption are the topic.
119
The president being indebted to oligarchs in the pocket of a foreign dictator is frivolous? Nice
221
@EAH
This is, at least according to your stated location, an action taken by your state court. This is not being done by representatives of the Democratic Party.
Apparently you are a little mixed up regarding jurisdictions here.
Syntax is a little off, too. Funny that.
168
Hopefully this might include the loan applications to Deutsche Bank. There is likely to be some real pay dirt there in terms of either falsifying information or including foreign sources of funding or guarantees of repayment from Russian oligarchs. New York needs to push aggressively to get these records
18
California and New York. The only two states with brass.
41
Future generations might think Donald's last name was actually "Subpoena". Almost any reference to him includes the word.
17
I always believed Trump would get his comeuppance in a NY State investigation. None of his lackeys can protect him there.
29
More Presidential harassment!
No, just kidding. He made a promise to release them, he should follow through
We need to know who pays him because conflict of interest and all that stuff that comes with public office
The Plebeians have not forgotten how the world works
"Under audit", pfft!
23
Do let’s just say, hypothetically, that Mazars hands over the Trump tax returns. Will NY be checking with the IRS to make sure they match what was originally filed? Sorry to be cynical but the Trump team has had 2 years to doctor paperwork.
22
@JCAZ NYS always checks with the IRS. I was a tax auditor. The returns have to match, then NYS subtractions are taken out. But everything has to appear unless Trump deliberately lied. Can't wait for the outcome.
4
Harassment, right. Call any investigation into criminal activity harassment. Just keep calling it that. Somebody just might feel sorry for the con man.
12
NY prosecutors are seeking 8 years of personal and business tax returns as part of hush money investigations. I love New York, badaboom.
22
Here's a painfully obvious question which Trump's die-hard supporters need to ponder: Why is Mr. Trump so determined to keep his tax return information from becoming public?
I would love to hear any semi-plausible reasons. It seems apparent to me that Mr. Trump, perhaps the ultimate poser, is nowhere close to being as wealthy as he portrays to his gullible admirers. Also, there are quite likely nefarious, dirty money connections which he obviously desires to keep hidden.
What have you got to offer? Let's hear it.
40
@Alan R Brock
Most of his voters are so ignorant they probably haven't filed taxes for years. Or, just work "under the table" and don't file at all. Tax cheats, Republicans, Trump. Not hard to see a pattern.
3
It’s about time the Manhattan DA did something about investigating Trump’s finances, considering he let the family off in the SoHo condo case!
14
This subpoena's going to be jolly difficult to ignore. The DOJ has no jurisdiction over New York County.
21
In 2001 Trump sold the 45th floor of Trump Tower to the Saudis. Later that year 19 terrorists, 15 of whom were Saudis, attacked and killed nearly 3000 Americans on American soil.
Trump is a mole.
27
What took so long?? and nothing will happen. We’ve learned that. Beaten into submission.
3
Democrats...please stop...seems petty and vindictive...try to win at the polls with policy ideas....
As a democrat leaning centrist, I would rather a leader (even imperfect) than a whiner
@Marketing Manager
Sorry, but I don't think we should sweep criminality under the carpet.
18
I'm not sure what your point is, Trump whines all the time.
23
There once was a little article in the Washington Post about a burglary, June 18, 1972 . . .
19
Watch the Twitter feed. If he's not shrieking like a girl yet, he will be. It's embarrassing. So unmanly.
23
Lorem ipsum. Still using “girl” as a derogatory term? How embarrassing!
3
Girls don’t shriek, ok? Kids do.
1
@Lorem Ipsum Yeah, not a phrase to use. I get that it’s tempting specifically because it plays on Trump’s sexism, but... time’s up.
This article confuses two unrelated topics: the prosecution of Donald Trump for hush money payments to a porn star, and the release of his tax returns to the public for transparency, as should happen in a democracy. To headline this article in terms of the tax returns, and to talk about efforts to get him to release them to the public, creates the false impression that progress has been made on releasing the returns to the public. Though the article mentions this, the headline and discussion of the topic defeats that disclaimer. As evidence, take a look at all the comments about how we will finally see the returns. Today’s action does not change that likelihood one iota. Perhaps (glacial) progress is being made on the hush money, but that’s all that has happened.
Both topics, of course, raise the question of how it is possible that this man ever became and is still the president.
206
@Mr. Mark i agree! And if we look at the latest 'orders' from the WH - ordering ex-aides to defy their subpoenas - I have no confidence at all that we will ever see trump's. ever. The same way people fear that he will never leave the WH, can be assigned to this - he will just refuse. And he's got enough lawyers and judges to back him up now.
I have never been prouder to live in New York state and the City of New York. We knew what he was decades ago and now the entire world will know of his lifetime of fraud, grift and criminality.
More importantly, Trump is being afforded due process which he NEVER afforded others via NDAs and other instruments that privilege bestows.
Be warned: Trump will change the news cycle IMMEDIATELY and I fear it will be with a sickening sycophancy and fealty to Saudi Arabia where American blood and treasure will be surrendered in a pointless war with Iran to further the whims and policies of an absolute monarchy awash in both oil and Kashogi's blood.
334
@Dr. Pangloss
Yep, he's just now wagging the dog on Iran being responsible for the Saudi attack.
26
Are you also proud that NY didn't do anything until he was elected president? if he was such an obvious mobster, why was no serious action taken? even a little dirt in the primaries may have made a difference.
18
Why did the City let the trump criminal enterprise thrive for decades?
Bitter? Yes I am
27
Donald Trump winning the presidency may be the worst thing that has ever happened to the Trump family. Before that happened, they could get away with whatever most wealthy families with aggressive lawyers and accountants could. Now, it has become a matter of political survival for those in charge to actually enforce or at least attempt to enforce the rules as written.
It will be very interesting if something as simple as covering up the purpose of the money reimbursed to Cohen turns out to be the key to actually getting the financial records out in the open. I am going to be most interested in seeing what backstop there was with Deutsche Bank on him defaulting on his loans. I doubt it is as straightforward as Russian oligarchs co-signing the loans, but there is likely some documentation buried in the records somewhere.
319
@Polly
I’d like to see that trump sister, the judge, have to answer for some of those real estate frauds uncovered by the nyt.
Though I don’t have much trust in judges these days.
38
@Polly. It’s certainly one of the worst things to ever happen to this country.
27
If Trump were the innocent & fantastic businessman he claims to be/have been, he’d be proud to release his tax returns; would be a bragging point, from his POV.
However, DJT’s gone to great lengths to keep his returns from being released. Which tells me... he’s not nearly as wealthy as he’d like one to believe (or is it even worse - that he’s actually in the red, his assets being worth less than his debts?) and/or there is evidence of some mighty shady deals to found. One of them? Both?
20
What makes Mr. Vance think he'll ever see any of these returns? As far as I know, our good president is above the law, correct? Whatever subpoena is thrown at him he simply deflects with his lawyers or ultimately assumes the Supreme Court will rule in his favor once these cases finally arrive there. The Court has been chosen by McConnell to never side against a GOP politician, so what makes you think this case will be any different? The guy is Scot-free, unindictable.
We all know he should be serving jail time. The question is who or what entity is is going to step up and get the job done? AG William Barr? Think again.
362
@Harrison
It is the responsibility of the American people, to say nothing of the Legislative branch of the Federal Government, to bring to light any (all) wrongdoings of Trump. His being President is not a shield.
79
@Harrison You are very wise. Insightful words!
18
@Harrison can't give up.
23
New York needs to stay tenacious in the pursuit of justice.
13
Trump’s tax returns will show a multi layer system to avoid tax. They will show Trump pays a lower rate of income tax, than his lowest paid full time employee.
Seeing Trump’s tax returns will confirm charity donation way below the level of donations he has claimed he pays.
If Trump’s tax returns were a positive for him, they would have been released years ago. Whatever they show his supporters will not believe them as Trump will label them fake news.
19
At this point, all means are good to harass, irritate, and brand Trump as a sinking ship is the best background music for his pursuit of a second term. Even Fox News is finding it hard to ignore the drumbeat of failure.
11
and why should we believe that he has been truthful on his tax returns? It would take an army of accountants to sift through all the layers
6
The president says he being audited by the IRS. Why has no one subpoena the head of the IRS and asked him if Trump is being audited ?
11
@RB As a former auditor I can tell you he has no reason to use that as an excuse. If he wanted a loan for a mortgage he would have to release them. Trump lied. Surprise, surprise. We yelled at the screen every time he used that lie. Now his lying will have to stop. At least about his tax returns. The rest of his lying will continue unabated. Or until America wakes up. And soon I hope.
6
I can think of only 4 possibilities that explain why this excruciating process has been like proving the existence of Dark Matter.
(1) Trump's "red line" might show run of the mill indictable criminal racketeering activities, fraud and other regular mob like crimes and FEC violations.
(2) It might highlight Trump's associations with or indebtedness to various entities, thus explaining much of his puzzling behavior siding against US agencies and interests or favoritism that was actually purchased.
(3) It might embarrass Trump to show he's lied about his wealth.
(4) It might show nothing at all, that is, just another example of Trump's' belligerence and tendency to opt for any obstructive thing that enrages his enemies.
Am thinking he embarrasses himself every day and doesn't either care or even notice, so #3 is unlikely. But #4 is remotely possible. My money is on #1.
12
Thanks for today's penchant reminder to NY voters that electing politicized haters to high office smears the entire state, not just the gritty alleys of the big city where they operate.
Stormy Daniels? Really? Only an accident of time prevented this performer from putting on a venal display with some important Senator on Ted Kennedy's boat.
Switch around a decade or three and there you have it.
1
This is nothing more than pantomime, with Vance and his netherlings prancing about in jester costume, cracking wise about how they're going to bring down Trump like it was nobodies business.
Theater, put on by lefties, for consumption by other lefties.
But in the end, they have nothing to justify opening an investigation. In an unbiased environment this action would have already been slapped down by the courts - but in New York the fix is in.
Fish in a fishbowl, who will probably - actually - be truly surprised when Trump is re-elected by as wide a margin as he will be.
How could they not be surprised; they are tone-deaf to anything other than leftist mantra.
3
@Objectivist: Remember frivolous Whitewater, Clinton Foundation, email and Benghazi investigations? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, and with Cohen serving jail time, this subpoena is not frivolous!
8
I fear this news alone will be cause for Trump to start another Mideast war (whitewashed by the Saudi oil claims) or some other egregiously-unhinged-even-for-him behavior. Destruction as distraction is his favored (often his only) tool.
5
@AMB Oh, let’s be honest. That’s not even unique to Trump. Presidents have been using that trick for quite a while now.
In 1991, as Mr. Trump was teetering on personal bankruptcy and scrambling to raise cash, he sold his 282-foot yacht "Princess" to Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin-Talal for $20 million, a third less than what he reportedly paid for it.
Four years later, the prince came to his rescue again, joining other investors in a $325 million deal for Mr. Trump's money-losing Plaza Hotel.
Tax returns, indeed!
13
The politics of hatred, using our "justice" system as a branch of a political party -- as usual.
And ... everything legislative and investigative put on hold until the party wins the 2020 election -- otherwise -- keep right on NOT doing our jobs until they drive the evil President or the evil political party in the evil country out of office.
Apologies -- just getting tired of seeing every aspect of our society used in hatred as an excuse for not doing we elected our folks for.
2
The Republican leadership knew that Trump was a business fraud with strong money connections to Russia well before they nominated him. Corrupt GOP election practices in the key electoral college states combined with Russian support allowed Republicans to foist crime boss Trump onto the people of the United States as a so-called president. Republican leaders financed by the deep pockets of their corporate owners are to blame for the Trump disgrace. Trump is the face of the Republican Party and a major symptom of our crumbling democracy.
9
It seems ridiculous to me that a person who heads the USA is allowed to present himself as a mysterious persona.
A strong base embedded in USA values is freedom of information.
The leader of this country should not impede the understanding of his constituents regarding who they elected.
15
Hate to be a wet blanket here, but based on his past treatment of the Trump family, Harvey Weinstein etc, I expect Vance to say, " sorry not enough evidence here". Of course this will come after some hefty donations to Vance's reelection campaign.
Instead of harassing Trump I'd like to see Manhattan's little DA Vance come clean about how much took in campaign contributions from Harvey Weinstein and whether he took money from Epstein as well.
Who ever heard of giving money to reelection campaigns of any DA unless you have something to hide?
3
I have the utmost respect for Cyrus Vance. His integrity and decision making are without reproach. The same cannot be said for Trump and his family. The truth will emerge one day concerning his corrupt business practices and his shameful personal conduct. The DA should pursue all avenues to expose this snake oil salesman. Then send him to the border to serve hot lunches to children.
6
A war with Iran right about now might go a long way to burying this.
6
I hate to see Trump, the Trump family, the Trump organization dragged into this. Why doesn't he save all this personal grief and just resign. For the good of his family name, but more importantly, for the good of the whole bloody planet! As the Nike slogan goes, "Just do it", please. The sooner the better.
6
It has been said: " The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine." And so they are turning.
9
Thank you, New York! This is the type of news that gives me hope.
31
Going forward ALL politicians from local, state and federal should have to provide full financial disclosure for the past 10 years.
I have no idea why the IRS has been protecting criminal Trump.
The IRS should be investigated immediately. Is there proof that Trump's taxes are still be audited for over 5 years now?
GOP fully supports all criminal acts by Trump.
37
@Hal Even if they were being audited, it would not prevent him from disclosure.
It's nothing more than a lie to "excuse" him from a promise.
10
@Hal Warren just put out an anti-corruption plan that proposes almost exactly that. No brainer, but it takes the smartest person in the race (except arguably Pete, but not as wise yet) to do it.
God bless my home state of New York and the good people of the SDNY for relentlessly pursuing the truth. Many of us are rightfully clamoring for Congress to pursue Trump’s impeachment immediately, but the more significant charges, and jail time, will come from the SDNY. All of his criminal activity will be revealed soon enough.
22
@Dabney L
Read the story carefully. Manhattan DA's Office is the entity that issued the subpoenas. As a proud alum of that office, I applaud Mr. Vance.
10
Just last month, California enacted a new law requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns to run in the state’s primary elections.
Trump responded by suing California, claiming the law is unconstitutional.
Those tax returns must contain some real whoppers, for Trump to go through such trouble. Now he has NY to contend with.
Are any CPAs reading this, who care to guess what whoppers are in those tax returns?
24
"But it becomes a felony only if prosecutors can prove that the false filing was made to commit or conceal another crime, such as tax violations or bank fraud."
So, Individual 1 could be in deep trouble, as I suspect there are more instances of saying something in his taxes is X, when it really is intended to be covering up Y.
14
Trump's tax returns reflect what he told his accountants to do. He signed 'em and he's stuck with what he did. But so are the accountants. And the tax lawyers. And his employees. The corporation and personal tax returns will bring a spotlight on just what kind of man he is, what kind of businessman he has been and where all that money is or isn't. It's time everybody else finds out.
28
I read the indictment of Michael Cohen.
The letter head on the request to the bank for a wire transfer to Ms. Clifford read, " Donald J. Trump Election Committee. "
The bank honored the request , but they were so disturbed by the request that they filed a suspicious activity form with the Treasury Department.
90
With all the leaks of documents that happen regularly, there has got to be an IRS agent that is willing to leak his tax returns. That would be sweet.
37
Why would that be sweet? May not be a fan of Trump, but it is more chilling the harassment that the government can do if they are out to get you. Should not use government resources for a politically motivated agenda.
14
@Marketing Manager Among the norms of politics and law that have been ravaged by our Twittler, leaking his tax returns to the public trust would be the smallest trespass by far. I can live with it and deal with the ethical fallout afterwards.
37
@Marketing Manager Yet Trump does and gets away with it. So lets just take a page from his playbook.
5
Another subpoena to ignore.
And he’ll pardon himself if it ever comes to that.
17
He can't pardon himself if convicted of state crimes, only federal one.
5
@Brad
He cannot pardon anyone for any state criminal conviction. We're talking NY State income tax.
BTW clemency, commutation and pardon are all different things.
6
@Brad - He can't pardon state crimes.
3
DoJ rules against indictment don’t “trump” state law. Those rules are unconstitutional anyway, and it’s caused our justice system to be in a shambles to adhere to them. Trump put people on the Court to protect himself while pretending to do it for right to lifers.
185
@Johnny Comelately
Exactly. It's all about the money. Mitch McConnell could care less about fetuses.
74
The only thing that’s got me through the last two and a half years is knowing he and his grifter family will eventually pay the price for their life long corruptness.
157
Why is this just happening now, and not a year ago? Or even 6 months ago? November 2020 is a little more than a year away... better to have "ammunition" initiated and ready sooner.
15
It’s not even happening now.
1
Vance dropped the ball, or fumbled it, with Ivanka and Donald Jr. last time. This is an opportunity to redeem his reputation.
40
Leave it to the Trumpistas to try and invent yet another “privilege “: political harassment.
This claim shouldn’t even be given a hearing, given the delay tactics of his minions. Lawyers making these specious arguments ought to be sanctioned.
24
As a person who has used the courts to his own benefit, tRump will try to weasel his way out of subpoena by just filing for dismissal and if it should rule against him, just do the same until there are no other alternatives. By that time interest will have died down and he will get the walk he thinks he deserves.
After all, that is what makes America Great, isn't it?
10
In a related topic, how are real estate loopholes essential to covering up money laundering still largely unchecked in federal law? (No identification of buyers or origin of funds with multi-layer LLC’s and third parties).
US corporations have had to adhere to laws dictating accounting governance for at least a decade with KYC “Know Your Customer”, employee training on recognition of money laundering and questionable transactions, supply chain identification of sketchy Enron-like movements in the books, and other indicators of fraud and tax evasion.
The UK has just started to stop the flow of foreign money into real estate. It has not been entirely successful, but they understand the problem and are working to close the loopholes with property registers, identification of buyers, and other anti-corruption measures. We can do the same.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/23/offshore-owners-of-british-property-to-be-forced-to-reveal-names
18
The person in the IRS who will leak the returns would be in the new dollar bills and not in jail for doing the biggest favor to the nation including GW!
25
This is just the start. There should be full exposure of Trump’s entire business and financial interests to determine whether Trump is compromised by money laundering Russian and Eastern European oligarchs to finance his business empire.
All his off shore accounts should be opened to full scrutiny and in the future a full revelation of financial ties should be required of all Presidential candidates
so that this corruption is never repeated!
The voting public has the right to know and the judicial system should prosecute if the laws have been broken.
43
@IN
"IF laws have been broken?" Trump is above the law; it does not apply to him. He does not believe in the Constitution - probably can't spell the word - perhaps because the subject was not taught until 3rd grade, and the nitwit's education level is not that advanced.
4
I wonder: if the tax returns reveal possible hints towards international money laundering, asset value manipulation and other suspicious financial dealings with foreign entities, can the NY State Attorney order further investigations into these matters? Or does the limited scope of the NY investigation effectively tie the attorney’s hands?
This would be such a waste, because I’m sure that Trump hasn’t gone to such to such extremes to protect his tax returns just to hide some hush payments that everyone already knows about.
22
I cannot fathom why or how it can take so long to get discovery of the trump tax returns.... Trump is perhaps one of the greatest frivolous litigators in the history of the USA (itself a felony), and I hope the judicial branch learns some lessons going forward about how they let it happen.
45
And? When is anything likely to turn out? If not why not?
8
@Blunt
1. When he gets out of office, or essentially never if he's pardoned (though hopefully his popularity goes way down even if he escapes prison)
2. Money, being the president, etc.
4
And what should we do?
In my opinion, the constitution needs to be rewritten from scratch. There is little difference between Louis XVI and this man. And we know what happens to good old “l’état c’est moi.”
18
Donald's tax returns are the smoking gun.
47
If it's true that Trump lost over 1 billion dollars in the 90's and he's allowed to carry that loss forward, he probably has never paid any income tax. These kind of loopholes need to be abolished.
97
@Buster wait til his base find out that he hasn't paid a dime in taxes...
16
They believe it proves he is a good businessman. I’ve had this told to me multiple times. Same answer given for the multiple bankruptcies!! They also believe his tax cuts are paid for and not adding to the deficit (which is no longer an issue for the Republicans) and that he is the greatest president ever. It boggles the mind.
26
@Buster
The worst loophole is that most of the 1 billion dollars he deducted was losses of OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY. That is an amazing special loophole for real estate prestidigitators.
3
Our basic freedoms are at stake in this matter. If Trump is a crooked as it seems he is then he must be removed ASAP!
45
Trump's been hinting all along that the key to his downfall would be his taxes. Just make sure that the roll out of the facts will done a lot better than Mueller. You know, more hard hitting! Maybe practice what you're gonna say a head of time; you know, for the impact? We're all counting on you. Or "youz" as we said in Brooklyn.
55
If we ever see the tax returns we will learn that he is not as rich as he claims and is in fact a ward of the state.
68
@Sick Of Lies
Putin guarantees his loans with his oligarch pals and Deutschebank. Trump is probably a pauper in the real sense. Even his kids depend on Putin for cash flow.
28
Either Trump is an innocent businessman being unfairly dragged through the courts by his political enemies or Trump is a life long flimflam artist finally on the brink of being held to account for his wrongdoing. Trump could prove the truth of the former, polish his reputation, and humiliate his political rivals by releasing his tax returns, yet he won't. The prosecution rests, your Honour.
156
And good luck with that. Remember, he was trained in the art of the (no) deal by Roy Cohn. Obfuscate, delay, deny. And do it again until it goes away. He’s proven how effective this method can be. He plays it better than anyone. And I’m sure he’s proud of that.
For bearing such hubris though, he will not be remembered kindly and his heirs will endure that legacy.
40
Can you really trust Cyrus Vance to give this his maximum effort? Will he just make it look good and then fake-fumble the ball?
Looking at his history he seems more much like a Republican in Democrat’s clothing.
8
I will laugh myself sick if IRS-related matters are what finally take down Trump, just like Al Capone. I remember a Batman cartoon quote from the Joker when the IRS came knocking:
"I'm crazy enough to take on Batman, but the IRS? Nooooo thank you!"
110
At the rate Republicans have been defunding higher skilled staff, to reduce high income audits, don’t be so sure.
10
@Sam But what's to say that the IRS won't go the way of NOAA. Demand that the IRS give trump the answer he wants or he will fire the lot of them. There is nothing, absolutely nothing to stop him from doing that.
7
@Anonymously - I believe that rebuilding the IRS is very high on the Democrats' to-do list. As a former tax preparer, what the Republicans -either White House or Congress - is outrageous
3
“It’s just harassment of the president, his family and his business.” Any intelligent person must ask him/herself why then, has Trump always refused to hand over his tax returns?
Come on people!!
95
They'll never get them.
There are no tax returns, anyway.. it's just dust in an old shoebox.
5
Trump should involve a special prosecutor and try to charge Nadler/Schiff/NYT/CNN/WaPO for criminally conspiring against him.
RICO law refers to the prosecution and defense of individuals who engage in organized crime. In 1970, Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an effort to combat Mafia groups. Since that time, the law has been expanded and used to go after a variety of organizations, from corrupt police departments to motorcycle gangs. RICO law should not be thought of as a way to punish the commission of an isolated criminal act. Rather, the law establishes severe consequences for those who engage in a pattern of wrongdoing as a member of a criminal enterprise.
Title 18, Section 1961 of the United States Code sets forth a long list of racketeering activities, the repeated commission of which can form the basis of a RICO Act claim. These underlying federal and state offenses exist independently of the act, and include the crimes of homicide, kidnapping, extortion, and witness tampering. Racketeering activities also include property crimes such as robbery and arson. A number of financial crimes are also listed, such as money laundering, counterfeiting, securities violations, as well as mail and wire fraud.
2
@tom jones You're joking right.
15
Huh? this is a Trump worthy ramble from nowhere to nowhere.
18
@tom jones
Trump and Trump Org don't want to get within a hundred miles of anything whatsoever involving RICO - for reasons that should be quite obvious to you.
14
Good. its about time the American people know exactly what this guy has done and how.
38
He will fight this to the end. Why? Because then people would find is not worth 8$ billon. His bragging about how wealthily he is just another example of his egomania. He wants the world to think he is successful businessman. When only one bank in the world will loan you money, you are not a successful businessman. Successful businessman do not file for bankruptcy 6 times.
103
@Maxman
The smart money says he insolvent when the loans from the Russian oligarchs and Putin's minions are included. Definitely explains him acting like a little girl seeing a pony for the first time whenever Putin is in the room.
4
An honest man, an open, transparent president, would happily make his tax returns public. A dishonest man, a president with something to hide, a president that has spent a lifetime cheating the system, defrauding anyone and everyone he could, would do everything possible to keep his corrupt life concealed. A fraudster will always be exposed in the long run. Trump’s run could be coming to an end soon.
69
About time! Seriously, why did this not happen some years ago?
17
I’ve lost count of the number of criminal and civil actions and investigations that are ongoing against him, his family and his organizations, not to mention those we know nothing about because of reasons of national security.
One hopes that at least one would be dispositive, be criminal, be state or local, thus outside the scope of Barr’s authority and jurisdiction and not subject to the DOJ memo precluding the indictment of a sitting president.
If that’s the case, it’s showtime!
26
i am honestly so tired of reading that an attorney subpoenaed tax returns from Trump; or reading that Deutsche Bank is ready to release Trump's returns but the release is delayed; or that the head of the Congressional committee of the day subpoenaed records from somebody and it was all denied. There needs to be more stringent laws for people in government relating to investigations. I hope that whatever administrations follows Trump can make that happen.
61
In the next few months contents of his tax returns will be leaked and we will find out that he isn't worth as much as he says and that he has hidden assets overseas.
Even his most ardent supporters will have to be convinced by then that this man is a bad businessman, at best, and possibly a shady one as well.
Thank you New York!!
38
@chickenlover His most ardent supporters are lost in a world where there are no facts except their feelings. Nothing can save them.
54
@chickenlover His supporters will never believe it, partially because Fox News will bury the story or provide some ridiculous spin. Likely they will go with headlines about Hilary and Benghazi to distract.
35
The one thing Trump has made abundantly clear to all Americans is he is absolutely above the law. He will no more abide by this demand than I will win the lottery tomorrow.
26
@Chris
You got that right Chris...he's been Mr.Teflon since day one of his presidency...the only thing to do is to vote him out.
6
He has managed to avoid complying with any subpoenas thus far, so I have little confidence this will result in a satisfying conclusion. I have so little confidence in government, left or right, to accomplish any fruitful objectives. We are existing in a virtual dystopian wasteland. It is infuriating to see what we have become.
42
@angelique This is a New York State subpoena. He has no control although he can hold it up in courts for decades which is likely what he will do. Will his supporters stop supporting him? I certainly hope so but I have no faith left.
25
Take note, Elizabeth Warren: you say you want to clean up the corruption in Washington, so start here with a requirement that presidential candidates disclose their tax returns. No more tradition, custom or suggestion: a flat out old time law! We can move on from there.
212
Warren’s anti-corruption plan, released today, demands the tax forms of all presidential candidates. Her whole plan is very comprehensive and should scare the bejezus of the corrupt class now populating our federal government. Take. Them. On. Ms. Warren.
30
@Lee Downie In fact, how about including Congress amd nominees for positions of power - including judges and cabinet.
14
@R Kennedy
OK with me.
2
It isn't Trumps past, it just the first wave of millennial DAs who received participation awards throughout life and never learned to lose.
After yesterdays fiasco, that $1 a week NY Tums discounted price you gave me to keep reading is looking steep.
4
@Robert I'm not sure why some people have this idea that getting a trophy for playing on a soccer team for 5 year olds ingrained in us an inability to handle difficult situations or failure. You're talking about sports for kids who care more about Capri Sun and orange slices than they do playing defense (which is certainly not taught to children in any depth). Just the same, my little $5 plastic trophy didn't teach me that Trump's past financial history could have links to the Russian election interference, or into the Trump administration's current domestic or foreign policies. Heck, the article literally mentions possible illegal usage of campaign finances. Perhaps blaming this all on participation trophies is a crutch used to explain a lack of basic political or legal knowledge.
15
@Robert sorry for your loss.
6
Two more trophy winners hit recommend. Congratulations! You participated.
1
“It’s just harassment of the president, his family and his business, using subpoenas as weapons,”
So, if that's the case, and there is otherwise nothing to fear, then show the world Trump's tax returns.
That would allow him to save untold millions of dollars in legal fees and vindicate himself to the country.
Of course, to Trump voters, there's nothing suspicious about this at all.
376
@SAJP
It's ok with them....they wish they could do the same thing. He's their idol.
10
@Patsy47
sadly true....cons getting conned....larceny light...less filling
3
@SAJP In the United States, our tax returns are private. Period. One may choose to share them, although I've no idea why. We have an IRS - if someone does something illegal and doesn't pay their taxes under the tax code, then the IRS takes them to court. NYC may think it's in charge or is somehow supposed to investigate the President, but most see it for what it is - politics and a waste of tax payer money. Sorry, but tax returns are not the business of NYC.
There is no reason on earth why anyone should expect Trump to honor this subpoena.
Our politicians, and law enforcement agents, keep telling us no one is above the law.
As if we can’t see the truth with our own eyes.
354
@Chickpea His accounting firm got the subpoena, and it is a State subpoena. Trump has no control over it.
75
@Don
Oh right! It has nothing at all to do with anything he has done!
6
@Don
So do you think the accounting firm is just going to hand them over?
2
Hopefully we will all see what Trump is hiding. Kudos to my State for standing up against this liar, cheater and disgrace of a President. Trump said he is rich. This is one way to prove it. AND to prove where the money came from. Saudis anyone? Arms manufacturers? Blatant criminals? I vote for all and more.
176
@Sharon Conway
Yes, to whom is the current President (and his family) indebted, short and long term dented
1
Excellent news on bringing the Trump crime family to justice in NY. How about Congress finally getting the tax returns? Wake up congressional Dems!
74
@Demosthenes
Outside of physically storming Steven Mnuchin's office and home what would you have them do? The president is breaking the law that says the IRS SHALL turnover his tax returns but he won't.
If it's what you say, I love it!
184
@Character Counts Especially later on in the summer...
18
At least the New York AG and judiciary are not under Trump's control.
107
If they can get them at the very least it will show that he paid almost no income tax legally and probably got millions of corporate welfare payments to him.
At the worst, it could be tied into his many accused illegal operations from hush money, to obstruction of justice to outright fraud.
68
Why no one has ever thought to subpoena these before now is beyond me.
44
I just hope I live long enough to see his tax returns.
180
Harassment? Surely Trump has a staff member who can make a few photocopies and mail them to the prosecutors without much effort. I doubt he has to do it himself, and if he really thinks it’s such a pain that it qualifies as harassment, I’m happy to make the photocopies, and I’ll even pay the postage. What would it take, about five minutes? Shouldn’t be a big deal unless, y’know, he has something to hide.
160
And while at it, can you check for any dealings with foreign governments, Russia in particular? I doubt these papers reflect the truth, but we can always hope.
34
1. There is nothing illegal about paying someone to shut up.
2. It is not a prerequisite that presidential candidates release tax returns. If people don't like it they should lobby their legislators to change the law in that regard. This constant badgering of Trump to get to his tax returns by every which way, including the present effort, amounts to outright harassment, which should be actionable.
11
@MIKEinNYC In the context of the looming 2016 election, the payment arrangement involving Stormy Daniels was a violation of federal election finance law.
Michael Cohen is serving time for breaking that law.
Individual-1 additionally appears to have violated laws by having his reimbursements to Cohen structured so as to avoid detection, and by not properly reporting the payments on his financials.
Moreover, that Trump has not released his tax returns is a broken campaign promise.
78
@MIKEinNYC As noted above by someone else, if there's really nothing to hide why not just release them and save the money being spent on legal proceedings?
42
@MIKEinNYC
Oh Please.
Most American Presidents have nothing to hide so they voluntarily submit their tax returns. If trump had simply done this way back when it would be a non issue.
The returns may have nothing in them except some embarrassing truths or they may contain proofs of crime.
Either way this whole thing was brought on by trump's secrecy and the lack of trust in this administration held by most thinking Americans.
41
It's about time. This took way too long.
25
Smoke is pouring out the windows, the firemen are trying to break down the locked doors while pointing the stream from the hose through the windows - and Individual-1 stands outside with the keys to the house, yelling about how they are wasting water!
Hopefully, the country will have more than just ashes by the time we are done with this Republican debacle.
104
A lovely fall day just got a whole lot better.
53
Trump thinks if he shows us his taxes,
His world might just spin off its axis.
They are long overdue
So just let the Trumps stew
Voters just want to know what the facts “is.”
126
@Susan - take a bow! : )
6
@Susan
Larry Eisenberg lives!
5
I didn’t vote for Trump but this constant harassment and impeachment of the President is my very last straw.
I’ll vote Green before I will be party to blackmail.
10
@Charlie - I don't understand why right wingers make these kind of phony claims. Do they really think anyone believes them?
32
@Charlie He promises to show his tax returns. He lied. If Hillary did this would you be upset? I would. All candidates released their returns. Trump lies every time he speaks. Good for NYS.
40
@Charlie sorry for you...this is not harrassment but investigative process
35
I have dreaded and despised the Trump presidency since lied and bullied his way into the Oval Office, but I’m thinking this next year will be quite enjoyable to watch. There is going to a complete meltdown at some point when all these little schemes come to a crescendo.
46
@Ted Siebert - I hope you're right. I also hope he doesn't have the entire middle east in smoking ruins and glowing in the dark as a desperate attempt to avoid such a crescendo. Considering his behavior with regard to "sharpiegate" and his fascination with nuclear weapons and the escalating tensions with Iran (due entirely to his nullifying the JCPOA), nothing would surprise. I've become dreadful of each day's morning news.
6
If they are not looking for money laundering, they should be.
44
Mazars, the Trump accountants, must be sighing a great relief exhale. They can now hand over Trump Inc documents with all the legal cover they need. The Trump's can take their business elsewhere, which might be difficult. Who would want such a toxic client? Book bending is their modus operandi, so taking the job ought to flag that firm as a sleazy operator to every investigator on the planet.
40
@Some Dude
I'd be looking over my shoulder if I were them, and steering clear of umbrella tips.
6
Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, and Marc L. Mukasey,
Nothing like representation by two of the most amoral lawyers in the country: The first one has been ripping off christian charitable organizations for decades, the other one reeks of motor oil.
40
All I can say is GREAT.
32
It never was the federal government trump had to worry about. He and Vlad own that. His downfall and imprisonment will be courtesy of the State of New York.
787
@Wayne I hope and pray you are right!
54
NY made him, the least we can do is bring him down.
124
@Wayne
And, to think Cy Vance could have prevented/ended all this in 2012 if he had prosecuted Don Jr. & Ivanka instead of taking a piddly campaign donation from their lawyer.
81
"Why would @BarackObama be spending millions of dollars to hide his records if there was nothing to hide?" - Donald Trump on Twitter, July 17, 2012
Right back at ya, Donald.
814
@Jason
Exactly correct, although I fear that the tax returns will prove to be just another false hope that he will ever be held to account.
The Access Hollywood recording? Nope
The Electoral College? Nope
Michael Cohen? Nope
The Mueller report? Nope
The "Teflon Don" had nothing on this guy.
20
@Jason: There really is a Trump tweet for everything.
20
Nothing’s changed for 21/2 years now.
Actually, nothing’s changed since the beginning of time.
You have something to hide, hide it. You have nothing to hide, show it and make the other side back off or look like fools.
Pretty simple really. He must be up to his ears in trouble.
599
@Scott Montgomery Up to his ears in trouble? For 2 and 1/2 years we were told that the 'walls were closing in' on Trump because of the Mueller investigation and Russian collusion, which turned out to be false. I hope you still want to use the standard of 'if you have nothing to hide you should welcome endless investigations' when a Democrat is President.
5
@R.P. Didn't that already happen with Hillary, emails, Benghazi, etc and no charges ever. Not like all of the indictments and convictions as a result of the Mueller investigation.
15
@nellie Two years and four months. And that's just Benghazi. Couldn't tell you on Hillary's emails. I'm sure some Republican committee somewhere's still futzing with them. Good use of tax payers money.
In the meantime, Trump is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
As Richard Nixon famously stated before losing his job, "Americans need to know whether their President is a crook or not."
Hopefully, this goes on til the cows come home.
15
Vance let the Trump kids, Junior and Ivanka, walk away from a possible charge of fraud. Can he be trusted here? Doubt it.
214
@NBN Smith
You make a good point. It's alleged that he got a payment to his reelection campaign after he decline to prosecute the Trump children.
64
@NBN Smith
In very many ways, this news only further compromises Vance. Before, it was politically expedient for him to go easy on the Trumps, well-connected Manhattan developers and campaign donors. Now that Trump's President and the foe of the DA's very liberal voting base, Vance benefits by pressing this case.
In short, the only consistency here is that Vance looks like a political windsock.
21
@NBN Smith I think so, because we are all watching him. He messes this up and Vance may not be re-elected.
22
Keep fighting the good fight, New York.
584
Dear Mr. Trump, You can always resign to save face -- just in the nick of time -- like Richard M. Nixon. Maybe you'll do less prison time! (And we'll start trying to Make America Well Again!)
465
Then we’d have Pence in power to pardon him of all Federal offenses. So let’s hope NYS, NJ, and FLA have enough State offenses for jail time.
33
Finally. However, I doubt Trump will turn them over. He'll claim some type of administrative/executive privilege and keep the issue litigated in the courts. It will take the Supreme Court to force Trump to turn over the returns.
44
@Susan"His" SCOTUS? Our nation is in big trouble.
15
@Susan
"It will take the Supreme Court to force Trump to turn over the returns."
And we all know how THAT will turn out.
See: Kavanaugh, Brett
NOT my president
31
@Susan, good luck with that. This president has done everything in his power to white wash his BVDs with his judicial appointments.
12
why would anyone want to provide financial services for such an obviously sleazy client? do accounting firms love being subpoenaed? one would expect financial institutions and financial and legal service providers to be more circumspect in the future taking on such a ticking time bomb of a client - and one with a reputation for failing to pay his bills, too!
123
@Alex Are you kidding? They do it FOR THE MONEY. They do it for the same reason that professionals and financial institutions get involved with crooks -- they think they can earn huge fees while staying just inside the law. Why did Mazars take on Trump and his company? You could ask the same question about Deutsche Bank or Marc Kasowitz or Michael Cohen or anyone trying to enrich themselves in Trump's orbit.
45
@Alex, why he went to overseas, Russia, for funding.
17
@Robert E. Malchman Better call Saul.
8
Well it's about time. Sadly, I don't think we'll find anything devastating other than the fact that he plays a lot of games with taxes, shell companies, bankruptcies and everything else. But it is fun to watch the fireworks!
86
Con: this will only confirm what we already know.
Pro: Perhaps an indictment or will sway some voters next November. Trump /DOJ can’t shut this one down.
31
@Lannock
No, he is dirty. The Feds are incompetent ever since Trup took over. Give the state a chance. Plenty of rocks yet to turn over and the rats will start jumping ship once the heat gets turned up.
58
@Lannock Not sure I'd view it as "fun" to watch the fireworks. Unfortunately, I think it's a tragedy that our nation's leader is a fraud. At this point, it just seems troubling.
15