An we are going to put him in charge of the Treasury??? Really??? I don't even loose track to $10, but I've only got a paltry few million.
7
Disgusting.
10
If Mr. Mnuchin, who has a sophisticated financial career, cannot understand a financial questionnaire, can he be considered qualified for the position of Secretary of the Treasury? A simple mistake this was not.
20
It is time to call out what is really happening here. I disgusting group of people who hail from an economic class of folks who should be referred to as the "Corpulent Economic Class" (CEC) now run the Executive Branch. They are ultra rich people that have spent billions lobbying Congress, securing unfair and risk legislation that lines the pockets of these folks and places most risk back on the government and regular citizens. They are not paying their fair share of taxes, and they are not carrying their share of societal's burdens (i.e. their children don't do military service and are not civilly minded). They flaunt the money they have and acquire so much stuff and homes, it really looks disguising and gross given what crumbs are left for working people. Trump, Mnuchin and the rest of the Goldman Sachs "shareholders" (they use to be partners, but they now shift the risk of their business onto society using "limit liability companies") are from the Corpulent Economic Class. Mnuchin talks a good game, but his whole life has been about taking advantage of people with less economic means. His home is Los Angeles is a good example of corpulent living, and he will do the minimum necessary to appear to care about the multitude of Wall Street abuses and distortions of economic markets, while he allows the seeds of the next financial meltdown to germinate. He is nothing but, and has never been, anything but a tool of the discredited finance industry.
15
Yeah, let's put the job of handling the treasury into the hands of someone who says filling out forms is too complicated for him, good idea.
7
These people smile and take pride in things that most of us would be ashamed of. Qualified but ethically challenged?
We're holding our noses before things really even get started.
We're holding our noses before things really even get started.
7
This alone makes Mnuchin unfit for the position.
We also need Trump to disclose his tax return.
We also need Trump to disclose his tax return.
13
The swamp will remain ... infested with meaner and larger crocodiles to eat up even more innocent animals ...
5
To any Senator with a conscience: Vote against the confirmation of Senator Mnuchin.
13
The Money Munchkin's fidgety response to why he didn't report $100 million in assets and his off-shore fund was priceless. "You know how complicated those government forms can be." I guess his highly paid lawyers and accountants made an honest mistake. The best line however, was how he misspoke about the accusations of his contribution to the housing crisis. "...could not be further than the truth." Indeed.
13
Incredulous. You have to wonder what else he's conveniently forgotten to disclose.
9
"Oh, yeah, there's that other checking account. Forgot about that one. Haven't used it in years!"
3
How can anyone forget to list four houses on a financial disclosure form and claim he just forgot about them.
5
Well, because when you only have ONE house (or condo, or rental unit) you're not likely to forget about it. It's so hard for us to empathize with these poor people with multiple houses!
5
Nice to be rich enough to forget $100 million, $95 million in real estate, and $1million in art work. Speaks to why the 1% needs to understand why the country dislikes them.
14
I cannot imagine how he could forget that much money and assets. No wonder Trumpkin won't part with his IRS forms & offer transparency. Or maybe you just can't keep track when you've made that much money. It makes me feel so helpless.
2
Cheese and rice, these people simply CANNOT get any worse!! "Middle America", those "hard working" rural folks are simply put..... MORONS. They claim they voted for this collapsed pumpkin because he was "one of them", he was going to "drain the swamp"?!? He did.... into his cabinet. Mnuchin has got to be the worst... this is the slime who made PILES foreclosing on widows with reverse mortgages and these people think he's going to look out for them?!?! Geeze... if I wasn't witnessing this w/my own eyes, I'd think it was another cheesy reality show.... you know, like the one we got THEIR president from...
13
I wonder if it has occurred to the Senators, that anyone who can forget that amount of property/assets and that number of responsibilities probably should not be trusted to be the US Secretary of the Treasury!?!?!?!
With all his money, he should have been able to find attorneys with experience in filling out government forms... Just sayin'
With all his money, he should have been able to find attorneys with experience in filling out government forms... Just sayin'
12
Wasn't it disclosed that a former Treasury nominee hadn't paid his taxes for a number of years? He was still confirmed wasn't he? It was JUST a mistake wasn't it?
1
And other cabinet picks were denied for the same reasons. Do not cherry pick one, and expect that to be sufficient. Plenty of us thought Geithner was a mistake.
Ignorance of the law, and the forms that pertain to the law is no excuse for Democrats, it shouldn't be for Republicans either.
Ignorance of the law, and the forms that pertain to the law is no excuse for Democrats, it shouldn't be for Republicans either.
3
NC_Cynic - Not "cherry-picking" just showing one example to keep the bubble level. Reading this story one would never know that it happened to the other side as well. If revealed that would be good journalism as opposed to petty partisan journalism.
You are 100% correct that "Ignorance of the law, and the forms that pertain to the law is no excuse for Democrats, it shouldn't be for Republicans either." Neither should the reporting of violations be so one sided!
You are 100% correct that "Ignorance of the law, and the forms that pertain to the law is no excuse for Democrats, it shouldn't be for Republicans either." Neither should the reporting of violations be so one sided!
This guy was so slippery in the hearing yesterday. He will funnel money to trump.
3
Funny how different ears hear the same responses......
I happened to be watching the hearings during that portion of questioning. What I heard as Mnuchins response was YES,he and his team of experts missed that disclosure. But as he noted (like every liberal caught in the same predicament does) it was an honest oversight due to the bizzenting method of the way the questions were posed on the hundreds of pages in the disclosure application.
Again, as noted above, when a liberal is caught with this, so called,lie, it nothing but a mistake. When a republican does it , it's a blatant crime.
If memory serves me , several of Obama's nominees were also caught with their pants down and they just got a slap on the back with an ATTABOY approach.
I happened to be watching the hearings during that portion of questioning. What I heard as Mnuchins response was YES,he and his team of experts missed that disclosure. But as he noted (like every liberal caught in the same predicament does) it was an honest oversight due to the bizzenting method of the way the questions were posed on the hundreds of pages in the disclosure application.
Again, as noted above, when a liberal is caught with this, so called,lie, it nothing but a mistake. When a republican does it , it's a blatant crime.
If memory serves me , several of Obama's nominees were also caught with their pants down and they just got a slap on the back with an ATTABOY approach.
2
which is exactly what the the Republican majority is doing today!
2
And you know what you call liberal nominees who do this? Former candidates...
1
Please....there have been several Democrats who have gone to jail for similarly duplicitous behavior in the past few years. The distinction you make is a figment of your imagination....
3
Steven Minutiae. Love it.
I wrote to my NC Senators and Representative expressing my concerns about the incomplete disclosure forms for vetting the president elect's Cabinet nominees. I had an immediate response from Sen. Thom Tillis thanking me for my input; a delayed response from Robert Pittenger assuring me he'll do the right thing and also one of his big interests is repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. (No details though). And no response from Sen. Richard Burr.
Somehow I am not reassured by my congressional representatives.
I wish I had a $100 to lose track of. And my children owned a million dollars worth of artwork.
Somehow I am not reassured by my congressional representatives.
I wish I had a $100 to lose track of. And my children owned a million dollars worth of artwork.
10
What is puzzling is that the readers of NYT are probably those who have the most to gain from a Trump presidency, and they are the ones shouting the loudest to protect those who voted for him. I think it's time you all celebrate the fact Trump will repay his followers what they deserve.
2
First of all, no, we aren't. Most of us are very compassionate, generous people who tell the truth, and don't see minorities and women as toys and obstacles. You are correct, however, that Trump will repay his followers, especially Putin.
11
Not sure why you think that. Yes, readers of the NYT are more likely to be well-educated than the average U.S. citizen, but it doesn't mean we make more money.
7
Reuters Investigates - Assets of the Ayatollah Khamenei (in Iran itself, not anything extra in $150B sanctions relief !) -
is there a good place in the Islamic Hell for our Treasury secretary nominee to share space with that criminal who got rich seizing the real properties of the Iranian people?
http://www.reuters.com/investigates/iran/#article/part1
is there a good place in the Islamic Hell for our Treasury secretary nominee to share space with that criminal who got rich seizing the real properties of the Iranian people?
http://www.reuters.com/investigates/iran/#article/part1
1
Our country is really divided now; true, Trump did not start it but he put the final blow with a populist sledgehammer on the cultural wedge to split the country. It was the Republicans who perfected the art of using wedge issues to divide us and mobilize their base, and it is them that used fear of minorities to get out the vote. The Republicans have been dividing the nation for decades in order to conquer it, mobilizing their religious white low-educated base to vote against "those people" and promising them the moon but never delivering. Do you actually believe Trump will fulfill his promises of making this country a Utopian paradise for "us" by getting rid of "them"? Well, they have conquered the USA now, with the help of a foreign dictator wanting to destroy us. Let's see if their occupation will last the full four years before either a political revolution gets rid of them or we bow down to "President Putin" in the last election this country will ever see.
26
That is a bit hysterical. And no way Putin wants to destroy us. All his buddies own property in New York. What he wants is greater power and influence for Russia.
3
A perfect example of the new kleptocracy.
Taking pennies - cheating no less - from the poor to make millions.
Ugh! The new selfishness is getting uglier by the day.
Taking pennies - cheating no less - from the poor to make millions.
Ugh! The new selfishness is getting uglier by the day.
14
I can't decide which one of Trump's top-tier picks is the worst. Is it the treasury man who couldn't figure out how to fill out a basic financial form? Is it the education choice who sneers at public schools? The would-be labor secretary who doesn't believe in giving workers breaks? The state department nominee who doesn't know the difference between foreign diplomacy and foreign business deals?
Is it stupidity, ignorance or good old ego that makes the choices for attorney general, energy secretary, and health and human services head think it's OK to take a job when they don't actually believe in its key functions?
What will be left after the whole crew dismantles their own departments?
Why it's time to return to making millions, billions or bad hamburgers.
Is it stupidity, ignorance or good old ego that makes the choices for attorney general, energy secretary, and health and human services head think it's OK to take a job when they don't actually believe in its key functions?
What will be left after the whole crew dismantles their own departments?
Why it's time to return to making millions, billions or bad hamburgers.
14
And then there is the complete idiot ex governor of Texas that couldn't remember the name of the department he was appointed to lead. He could not remember it when he was trying to tell the American people that he thought the Department of Energy should be eliminated. Pure swamp gas.
3
so, when Hillary gave speeches at Goldman Sachs it was heralded as really bad, but now that an actual banker with interests in a tax haven will become treasury secretary, what should then one think?
17
A few months ago the NYT would have been publishing stories pushing the idea that her speeches proved Hillary was corrupt. Not true but it sold newspapers.
Sociologists have classified lies into 3 types, starting from the weakest to the worse:
1) The unintentional lie, where the speaker does not know that what he says is not true;
2) The "white lie" where you know it is false but you do not want to hurt someone's feelings; and
3) A Republican talking point.
I only believe half of what a politician says, unless that politician is a Republican. Then I believe none of it.
1) The unintentional lie, where the speaker does not know that what he says is not true;
2) The "white lie" where you know it is false but you do not want to hurt someone's feelings; and
3) A Republican talking point.
I only believe half of what a politician says, unless that politician is a Republican. Then I believe none of it.
22
The government is now controlled by people who value money and power above the good of the country. They will not do their job and will delay anything getting done by a member of another political party. They will pander to their extremist base in order to stay in power. They will lie to the people, say they are for them, and once elected, kowtow to the rich who gives them the money and power. They will do anything, even if it does harm to our country and its citizens, in order to get and keep money and power. They would even ask for help from foreign dictators wishing to destroy the US in order to get that power and money. In my youth we called such people "traitors" -- today they call themselves "Republicans."
13
If deliberate, too dishonest for the position. If inadvertent, too financially incompetent.
9
Yep - it should be disqualifying either way. How do you fail to disclose nearly $200,000,000 in assets and your role in offshore investment groups when you are up for TREASURY SECRETARY!?!
3
In trying to figure out the mindset (LOL) of Trump in choosing his cabinet picks, the best I can come up with is as follows:
Trump (or, more precisely) Steve Bannon, selected the absolute WORST possible choice for the respective position. An Education Secretary who hates public schools; an Energy Secretary who can't remember the title of the department he'll be running; an EPA had who has spent his career suing the EPA....you get it.
I really believe Trump is sticking his thumb in the eye of all Progressives - especially President Obama - who had the gall to embarrass the Orange Excrescence at that Washington Correspondants' dinner so many years ago.
I think we're seeing a grand, well thought out fit of pique by the Orange Cheeto.
It's pathetic, frightening and deeply depressing.
NOT my president.
Trump (or, more precisely) Steve Bannon, selected the absolute WORST possible choice for the respective position. An Education Secretary who hates public schools; an Energy Secretary who can't remember the title of the department he'll be running; an EPA had who has spent his career suing the EPA....you get it.
I really believe Trump is sticking his thumb in the eye of all Progressives - especially President Obama - who had the gall to embarrass the Orange Excrescence at that Washington Correspondants' dinner so many years ago.
I think we're seeing a grand, well thought out fit of pique by the Orange Cheeto.
It's pathetic, frightening and deeply depressing.
NOT my president.
17
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely! This will be the Trump Administration!
4
The world is scourged by narcissists whose rage has been stimulated by charlatans like Donald Trump.
3
Good, bad or indifferent, Trump, like our jobs, is not perfect, but he's the one we got.
There are lots of things about Trump's attitudes that seem unsavory, but politics is the art of persuasion, and, as observed by Aristotle, answers the very basic question of how we shall order our lives together.
There are lots of things about Trump's attitudes that seem unsavory, but politics is the art of persuasion, and, as observed by Aristotle, answers the very basic question of how we shall order our lives together.
$100M here, $100M there - just roundoff error.
5
My thoughts exactly.... I mean come on everyone, who hasn't found 100 million under the couch cushions?? Let's not be too hard on these fine, upstanding gentlemen....could happen to any of us.
2
As neither a Dem or a Rep, here is a simple question that I can't seem to find an answer.... has there been a single Democrat that has voted FOR any of the cabinet nominees? And, likewise, has there been a single Republican to vote AGAINST any of them? This single metric may help determine if there is nay common sense left in Washington (though I suspect I already know THAT answer). God help us....
1
Show me one of these nominees who are qualified. During Watergate thebgearings disavowing law breaking in office were run by both sides. They'd all be disgusted by this.
3
Poor Steven, he just misplaced $100 million in investments. Another example of how The Donald is already forgetting his pledge "to drain the swamp' in Washington, D.C. Getting an alumni of Goldman Sachs just reeks of "Richie Rich" picking his friends to run our government. Mnuchin is unfit to serve as Treasury Secretary.
9
Have I completely lost it, or wasn't Goldman Sachs the "dirty phrase" they smeared Clinton w/for months?!?! THESE are the folks the "little people" think are going to look out for THEM???
3
Trumps game plan - hire all execs regardless of relevant experience, pass big tax cuts for the 1%, (increasing the deficit 'bigly'), subsidize and promote dirty energy at all costs, eliminate health care to pay for the rich tax cuts, get reelected on tax cuts and generous donations from the 1% and give cuts to corporations to get even more reelection dollars. The oligarchy is complete, and we're supposed to unite behind this?!
7
nope - just spent money on absolute necessities only - and tank the economy -
1
Yes, after the manna tickles down from Heaven, just show your gratitude with a political contribution.
1
Mnuchin is guaranteed to be confirmed. The $100 million asset nondisclosure — and his offshore tax haven experience — leave the Republicans totally unfazed.
He should be commended for being smarter than the system — Trump and his voters would say.
It's at times like these that Democrats must look back and realize what a terrible decision it was to lie down for Hillary Clinton. She was too unlikable to be a viable candidate.
He should be commended for being smarter than the system — Trump and his voters would say.
It's at times like these that Democrats must look back and realize what a terrible decision it was to lie down for Hillary Clinton. She was too unlikable to be a viable candidate.
1
Such an idiotic idea. It took the the Director of FBI intandim with ALL the workings of the Soviet cyberwar machine (including their working to keep the RNC and the Trump campaign in the loop), Next to no coverage her policies, a billion in free TV adv for Trump by CNN and, yes MSNBC, AND SHE STILL WON BY 3 MILLION VOTES. Not good enough but not a weak candidate.
7
And why was she unpopular? Why was she not liked by the common, uninformed people that did not take the time to get to know the truth about her? If I formed a group of people to plan a smear campaign and ran around your neighborhood since 1992 telling people all sorts of horrible fake news stories and derogatory lies about you, I bet that they would not think too highly of you, either, unless they took the time to sit down and get to know you better and see that it was lies they were hearing. But that takes time and energy! Better to believe the vile gossip the coordinating hatemongers are spreading than to get to know your neighbor better. When it comes to choosing the leader of your neighborhood association, they are going to vote for the outsiders pretending to be one of them and politely telling them lies, instead of learning the truth about the neighbor that so many people have said so many outrageous lies about for so many years.
18
To Ransom. Sadly all politicians lie and as a John Oliver bit shows Trump's lies far outweigh Hillary's. But while the attacks may have hurt her with some voters the distrust of Hillary is engendered by her own actions as the Obama team understood in his campaign against her in 2008. See this memo from that http://bit.ly/1PeoYqpy campaign. Moreover her missteps in collecting those Yuge fees from Goldman Sachs just before announcing for president didn't help. Hillary never fully admits mistakes. Her Iraq vote was Bush's deception. After pushing Obama on Libya she said it was his decision when things went badly there. Finally she took some of those critical states for granted and didn't campaign there (Wisconsin). The Democrats and Mrs. Clinton deserved to lose. It's just we, the people who don't deserve what's coming.
1
The first time I heard the phrase about being "thrown under the bus" was in connection with the murderer Joseph Kalenger, who threw his son under a bus in order to collect on a life insurance policy....
This guy is a real gem. Definitely a member of the High IQ pack. Probably worries about shooting grizzly bears too. Seriously, he might be one of the biggest alligators in the new swamp.
8
Sure, these guys chat about quantum chromodynamics over tea and crumpets.
3
If big alligators didn't eat 90% of the smaller alligators, we'd be up to behinds in alligators, and draining the swamp is quickly forgotten....
Forgot? Misunderstood? Are Trump supporters really buying this? Surely it's better to admit being duped by Trump than to pretend allegiance and open the gates to these liars and thieves. "Uneducated" doesn't mean stupid; it never did.
12
"Ignorance" is a remediable condition.
2
Steve - Right! The mantra of every teacher. Just wishing that all of the good thinking in these good comments could reach the other side.
2
Apparently it also means stupid.
1
i do that sometimes myself. I stash away $20 and try to forget about it. Then, when I find it, I am really happy. Must be the same thing, sure.
7
At least three nominees for Presidents in the past have not been found acceptable ethically on the basis of "left out" information or forgetting to pay taxes for nannies. So, let's see how big the hypocrisy will be of the Republican Party. They have no one to blame this on: THEY OWN THIS PROCESS.
5
$100,000,000.00, such a trifling sum.
Come on NYT, these people don’t care about these bothering details, they own the government.
Your reporting is just quaint and really no longer matters on this type of thing. Further, you are a publicly traded company, so you will fold to the wealthy’s demands.
It has been unofficial, but tomorrow at 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time, these people literally own us.
But hey, look on the bright side. Unlike the Environmental Page, the Fashion Page will do just fine.
Michael Bain
Weakening Subscriber
Glorieta, New Mexico
Come on NYT, these people don’t care about these bothering details, they own the government.
Your reporting is just quaint and really no longer matters on this type of thing. Further, you are a publicly traded company, so you will fold to the wealthy’s demands.
It has been unofficial, but tomorrow at 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time, these people literally own us.
But hey, look on the bright side. Unlike the Environmental Page, the Fashion Page will do just fine.
Michael Bain
Weakening Subscriber
Glorieta, New Mexico
3
We are the soil our plutocrats farm so scientifically.
2
where's the beef...
oh, THAT 100 million?
oh, THAT 100 million?
4
Could you please provide credit lines under your videos so we know who the persons shown/speaking are? This was a two way conversation and you never let us know who the congressperson asking these critical questions was.
1
Everybody is being so hard on the guy. His oversight was totally understandable. I, too, forget about loose change I find in my couch cushions.
6
Jesus Christ threw the Money-Changers out of the Temple.
The Trump and the oh so holy Republican Evangelicals just brought them back in and threw out the People out instead.
The Trump and the oh so holy Republican Evangelicals just brought them back in and threw out the People out instead.
10
Modern Evangelicals seem to believe that their diety blesses the good with cash.
The more cash, the better the human.
Look at their Mega-Churches. And the people who run them.
The more cash, the better the human.
Look at their Mega-Churches. And the people who run them.
6
What's a $100 million? Nuttin'! Easy to forget.
7
Must be nice to have $100 million in hidden assets just laying around. For a rainy day.
7
A Banker with offshore stashes and forgotten millions to lead Treasury, the central banker of the Federal Government.
A former Texas Gomer Pyle of the capital state of oil leading the Energy Department responsible for overseeing the Oil industry that broke the ecomonies of the world with a peak price of 147 dollars a barrel in 2008.
The Chief of the largest oil company to lead the State Department responsible for international trade so the oil industry can profit from selling our national strategic resource, the very fuel of our economy for years to come, maybe not if exported.
A southern right wing former bigot who looks the other way at police killings and says we don't have enough respect for police to lead the Justice department.
A Black doctor who doesn't believe in helping down and out people needing help to lead the Housing Department.
A White Doctor who wants to take away health insurance from millions and has no plan to help them to lead the Health department.
What else can go wrong?
A former Texas Gomer Pyle of the capital state of oil leading the Energy Department responsible for overseeing the Oil industry that broke the ecomonies of the world with a peak price of 147 dollars a barrel in 2008.
The Chief of the largest oil company to lead the State Department responsible for international trade so the oil industry can profit from selling our national strategic resource, the very fuel of our economy for years to come, maybe not if exported.
A southern right wing former bigot who looks the other way at police killings and says we don't have enough respect for police to lead the Justice department.
A Black doctor who doesn't believe in helping down and out people needing help to lead the Housing Department.
A White Doctor who wants to take away health insurance from millions and has no plan to help them to lead the Health department.
What else can go wrong?
13
I'm not too sure we should ask that question; we might not like the answer.
6
Well, it can be pointedly said that Timmy Geithner started this trend. As to the challenges presented by complicated forms, I wholeheartedly agree.
The incorporation of entities in the Caymans, or Mauritius, or Bermuda, or Guernsey, etc. is a very common part of international business structuring and in no way is shady in and of itself. Thank complicated tax treaties for that.
The incorporation of entities in the Caymans, or Mauritius, or Bermuda, or Guernsey, etc. is a very common part of international business structuring and in no way is shady in and of itself. Thank complicated tax treaties for that.
Soon to be played by Rick Moranis in Trump: Epic Failure.
4
calling it a nest of vipers would be an insult to vipers.
11
"whoops! My bad." It's ok, I have problems remembering where I put the stray $100 million also.
6
Perhaps Mnuchin had the attorneys and CPA's who knew about Mnuchin's invested US assets filled out the forms. Perhaps they did not know about the Cayman money, the real estate, or the family art investments. Perhaps Mnuchin realized this only after submitting the forms.
(1) Were Mnuchin's Cayman assets and income declared as required?
(2) How will our new Treasury Secretary use his expertise to ensure all such assets and income flows are declared for all US citizens?
(1) Were Mnuchin's Cayman assets and income declared as required?
(2) How will our new Treasury Secretary use his expertise to ensure all such assets and income flows are declared for all US citizens?
2
he should just say 'he'll look into it' or get back to you on that etc etc. like EPA nom who couldnt say how much lead humans should have BUT 'he'll look into it'.
1
Hilary's $250,000 speeches seem short compare to $100,000,000 forgotten invested money...
And see how the republicans come to his defense...
This election is happening for a reason! It's really opening our eyes right...
And see how the republicans come to his defense...
This election is happening for a reason! It's really opening our eyes right...
7
Let's see- filling out a few disclosure forms is too hard for him, but he's ready to run the US Treasury?? As if he filled out those forms himself - ha ha - he has people for that, which gives you a clue about what his hires will be like.
4
What's the big deal? It's not like it was $100 billion or real money.
4
Mnuchin is a disaster! Frivolous and flippant to boot! Obviously, the son of a multi-millionaire Goldman partner. At least the father worked his way up. If Democratic political leaders were smart (open question), they would make this Mnuchin character the poster boy for Trumpian corruption. A bunch of children of millionaires who were born on third base thinking they hit a triple.
Mnuchin tried to hide the Cayman Islands biz which likely doesn't pay U.S. capital gains taxes for American clients until the money is repatriated (doubtfully ever). He tried to hide what appears to be an evasion (legal or not) of estate taxes when announcing his children own 1 million worth of art.
This is the swamp Trump spoke about.
BTW, Mnuchin is also unqualified. Some trading at Goldman, some hustling at regional banks and some offshore hedge playing doesn't impart the requisite macro economic knowledge useful at Treasury.
Mnuchin tried to hide the Cayman Islands biz which likely doesn't pay U.S. capital gains taxes for American clients until the money is repatriated (doubtfully ever). He tried to hide what appears to be an evasion (legal or not) of estate taxes when announcing his children own 1 million worth of art.
This is the swamp Trump spoke about.
BTW, Mnuchin is also unqualified. Some trading at Goldman, some hustling at regional banks and some offshore hedge playing doesn't impart the requisite macro economic knowledge useful at Treasury.
5
$100,000,000? You have got to be kidding me.
I’m sure he know’s my pain. Sweet Jeezus . . .
I’m sure he know’s my pain. Sweet Jeezus . . .
5
I see rampant impropriety, corruption, and flagrant piracy on the horizon with Don Trumps Mafia picks. This will be exciting times for the New York Times, and readers such as myself that congregate here to compare notes and commiserate at the awesome displays of hubris and wrongdoing. You should inspire your staff to find ways to spread the influence of your publication by appealing to the discouraged masses yearning for cooperation with like minded readers. This is more than a cascade of news about to be unleashed. This is about a new democracy of righteous people standing up to the obviously psychotic leaders of the conservative right trying to stoke the flames of insurrection to gratify their sick minds that invent bizarre theories that their followers believe because they heard it on Radio or TV. I'm writing this in response to viewing a clip of the right wing mouth Glenn Beck stating that President Obama is a racist that hates white people. That was a psychotic invention that was believed by millions of gullible viewers and spread like wildfire through the population. How can one unhinged delusional man risk a nations peace? The Republican party is still the shambles of John Brown who inspired the Uncivil war.
3
These are the people that are going to supposedly run the country for the benefit of the American people, to say that's a stretch would be an understatement. This is what the Republican Party sees as protecting the American people's interests. After any recession that we have had in this country a little more has been taken from us. In 2008 when the bubble burst and billions of dollars was drained from the economy who bore the brunt of it, the American people. Yet, we have no jobs, corporate America doesn't want to provide the high paying consumer jobs we need in order to CONSUME. Trump doesn't care about the American worker he only cares about destroying our air, poisoning our water, and making himself and his ilk richer at yours and mines expense. What they do in the dark, will come to the light it already does.
5
Objectively speaking, Mr. Hatch, my kids aren't going to fight any wars your corrupt, unfit, shameful Republican government creates. Mnuchin forgets 100 million? My kids don't defend the United States of Goldman Sachs. How's that for objectivity?
8
One hundred million you say? Pocket change when your net worth is in the billions.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
www.endthemadnessnow.org
3
I'd be curious to know how many private jets are owned by Trump and his cabinet.
3
Isn't it time good Dems and Republicans work together and break up the monsters? Men like this have amassed so much frickin money, the regular guy hasn't a snowball's chance in hell. Our only hope is another stimulus bill, where sooner or later, they'll end up with it, too. This is ridiculous. No more. And, then, he has the audacity to hide it in the Cayman's rather than pay a few taxes.
3
Yes, I imagine the disclosure forms are complicated. Mnuchin is being sold on being highly qualified for the job of Secretary of the Treasury. If he can't manage to complete these forms about his own money and positions, honest mistakes or not, how is he qualified for such an important post?
9
He should be in jail. Liar.
6
The worst of the worst. So darned sad.
4
So glad "corrupt" Hillary did not win the presidency. Now we have Don the Con and his altar boys in charge. Sad!
5
Time to set up a go fund me page. I feel sorry for him.
1
So, Trump voters. How is that "draining the swamp" thing going for ya?
10
Trump Cabinet
The Worst and the Lowest
IQ's and all
The Worst and the Lowest
IQ's and all
4
The president elect just claimed his cabinet choices have the highest combined IQ's ever!
It was a double thumbs up moment!
It was a double thumbs up moment!
The latest swamp thing to rise from the tidal pool. You can bet that oversight would have never been allowed to pass if he were a Dem nominee.
This should be an automatic disqualifier. Hmmm, Ted and Hillary were owned by Goldman ........as Trump liked to claim on the campaign trail and now he has invited 4 from Goldmans in through the front door.
Tell us again how you, PEOTUS are looking out for all us regular folk?
This should be an automatic disqualifier. Hmmm, Ted and Hillary were owned by Goldman ........as Trump liked to claim on the campaign trail and now he has invited 4 from Goldmans in through the front door.
Tell us again how you, PEOTUS are looking out for all us regular folk?
7
It's all "Shocking, shocking" Apparently in America billionaires and millionaires avoid taxes, hide their wealth in tax heavens, thrive on foreclosures and ruining working people's lives, run their business hidden away from any scrutiny, supervision or regulations and become richer and richer even when all the rest get poorer.
Excusing his administration for not prosecuting a single Wall Street executives, after they single handedly destroyed world economy, President Obama told us, that bankers' actions may look disregardful and repugnant but are absolutely legal.
The Liberal elite seemed shocked that Mr. Trump avoided paying taxes, or that Goldman Sachs billionaires taking key economic posts, but that's all legal and has been customary for the past 40 years. Regan, Clinton, Bush and Obama hired almost the same economic wrecking crew to run the economy they destroyed.
Congress spent years allowing the top 1% get away with (economic) murder, perhaps because half of congresspeople are millionaires/billionaires. No one should be too surprised that we live in an oligarchy, Mr. Trump is just taking advantage on the path that we paved for him (and for the super wealthy).
Excusing his administration for not prosecuting a single Wall Street executives, after they single handedly destroyed world economy, President Obama told us, that bankers' actions may look disregardful and repugnant but are absolutely legal.
The Liberal elite seemed shocked that Mr. Trump avoided paying taxes, or that Goldman Sachs billionaires taking key economic posts, but that's all legal and has been customary for the past 40 years. Regan, Clinton, Bush and Obama hired almost the same economic wrecking crew to run the economy they destroyed.
Congress spent years allowing the top 1% get away with (economic) murder, perhaps because half of congresspeople are millionaires/billionaires. No one should be too surprised that we live in an oligarchy, Mr. Trump is just taking advantage on the path that we paved for him (and for the super wealthy).
1
We who elected Trump him DON'T CARE!
Mr. Mnuchin didn't have any problems navigating the process of foreclosing on 38,000 families. I don't like the guy. Trump either picks idiots like Perry or Kleptocrats like Mnuchin. I suppose this is all going to be "Fake News" according to Trump.
6
Why is that a failed to disclose $100 million not an automatic disqualification for someone whose job is to deal with the matters of $$$$$$$$$$? He does not even know how much money ha has. How can he help the country?
6
Jimmy Carter sold his peanut farm to avoid conflicts of interest, yet Trump and his cabinet won't break big business ties. I wonder why
5
$100 mil? Not a big deal.
That is like you or me dropping a dime on the sidewalk.
That is like you or me dropping a dime on the sidewalk.
2
Opps! This sounds like an accidentally-on-purpose omission . . . since the $$$$$$ was in the Caymans.
3
Folks, he is not a billionaire (only 0.5 billionaire equivalents to be exact). Please go easy on him.
4
First of many possible nominees for cabinet posts to actually announce "he has become a distraction" and will withdraw his name. Other possibilities: Price, DeVos, Tillerson and Perry.
3
For a member of the 'Billionaire Boys Club' - aka Trump's Cabinet - $100 million is chump change. How dare the 99% question him?
5
So... the forms were complicated??? If he has trouble filling out the forms, what does that say for him understanding the complexity of the organization he wants to lead?
Btw - we want to see Trump's returns...
Btw - we want to see Trump's returns...
6
Oh oooopppppps
with so MANY HOUSES, you can forget one or two or three or four or five.
with so MANY HEDGE Funds you can forget one or two or three in the Caymans.
With so MANY PAINTINGS you can forget $1,000,000.00 worth of art.
$95,000,000.00....you can just forget.
At least Mnuchin wasn't $0.27 short on a mortgage payment.
This man is a beast. Former Goldman. Greedy as all Trumps.......
Welcome to the integrity and principles of Trump University.
with so MANY HOUSES, you can forget one or two or three or four or five.
with so MANY HEDGE Funds you can forget one or two or three in the Caymans.
With so MANY PAINTINGS you can forget $1,000,000.00 worth of art.
$95,000,000.00....you can just forget.
At least Mnuchin wasn't $0.27 short on a mortgage payment.
This man is a beast. Former Goldman. Greedy as all Trumps.......
Welcome to the integrity and principles of Trump University.
7
"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis.
We are there.
We are there.
11
A friend of mine wrote: Mnuchin was bus partners with Ryan Kavanaugh of eternally troubled Relativity Films, two of them likethis. Ryan and his family some of the biggest scam artists..his father desperate + tried to sell a piece of high priced art for millions as an original when it was fake copy. Caught and went to prison for fraud. Birds of a feather, flock 2gether. Mnuchin has thrived in the Hollywood sewer system funding movies and throwing elderly people out of their homes as a valid business model during the last recession. And he's one of the best on the current roster of nominations, not a good sign at all. How can he be Treasury Secretary when he complains the failure to disclose $100M is because the 'forms are too complex". Vote NO.
Hollywood? But I thought.... Maybe they extradicted El Chapo to head the DEA?
Hollywood? But I thought.... Maybe they extradicted El Chapo to head the DEA?
6
Obviously, the Treasury Secretary is the last person the government needs to be able to keep track of money.
Oh wait.
Oh wait.
4
Is somebody kidding here? Mnuchin says he handed over 5,000 pages of disclosures? If he was required to do that, then the system truly is ridiculous.
1
Jesus..., imagine being rich or corrupt enough that you do not care omitting the mention of 100 million in assets! God help us.
5
We heard of a prior but much smaller precedent before.
It likely was because of TurboTax but was not invoked as a defense at the confirmation hearing. Perhaps TurboTax would consider filing a suit? It surely appears as a commercial defamation to suggest it could not handle 9-digit dollar amounts.
It likely was because of TurboTax but was not invoked as a defense at the confirmation hearing. Perhaps TurboTax would consider filing a suit? It surely appears as a commercial defamation to suggest it could not handle 9-digit dollar amounts.
2
And his nominee for Dept. of Energy Perry cannot pronounce the word "Nuclear."
Speak English much sir?
Would you trust your car to a man who could not pronounce the word "transmission?"
"Yeah, fix your transition, that'll be about uh $700, it'll be great, just fabulous, really totally"
"Oh and you won't get your car back."
Speak English much sir?
Would you trust your car to a man who could not pronounce the word "transmission?"
"Yeah, fix your transition, that'll be about uh $700, it'll be great, just fabulous, really totally"
"Oh and you won't get your car back."
3
Would he permit the IRS to continue the audit of Trump ? If the audit reveals fraud or other irregularities, would he pursue charges in a way consistent with the general population ?
4
Anyone who has read OXFAM America's PDF Broken at the Top knows that if you have a team of the "smartest" or as Trump puts it (and is so ridiculously wrong) highest IQ knows Mnuchin is the rule not the exception.
You don't need to be a genius to be a kleptocrat.
You don't need to be a genius to be a kleptocrat.
7
Come on Folks. Think! What are they trying to distract us from? There are at least 3 rings to this circus.
5
These things used to be disqualifying. It is bad enough that some of these nominees know nothing about the departments they are supposed to run, think Ben Carson, or they are really there to dismantle their departments but they are personally corrupt. Dems, get with it. Vote no on all of them and explain that you want honesty not more billions for billionaires.
3
Munching was on edge was making a whole lot of facial gestures, could not sit still. He was a joke.
2
Prosecute him for failure to disclose substantial assets. Mnuchin is either very tricky or dumb. I say tricky. Prosecute.
4
$100 million in assets? Probably just chump change to him.
3
Point taken. Trump's political adversaries are absolutely correct in criticizing his cabinet appointees. After all, their ideological profile is exactly the opposite of president's Obama cabinet and Hillary's had she won the election.
Donald Trump's challenge is not about his cabinet choices. The litmus test is the economy. If he delivers on that front, i.e., conquer the trust of a declining middle class, a re-election is almost a done deal.
Donald Trump's challenge is not about his cabinet choices. The litmus test is the economy. If he delivers on that front, i.e., conquer the trust of a declining middle class, a re-election is almost a done deal.
3
As our president elect proudly declared that his cabinet had the highest IQ ever in the history of this nation before reporters were kicked out of his hotel in the venerable Old Post Office, it became clear that they use their supposed intelligence only to enrich themselves while not having one iota of compassion for the so-called little people.
The one thing that is 'so sad' - as DJT is prone to say - is that those that voted for him will be the biggest losers.
The one thing that is 'so sad' - as DJT is prone to say - is that those that voted for him will be the biggest losers.
11
Thanks Steven for reminding me about the long-forgotten $100 million that has been stuffed in my mattress for several years. What would I without you?
4
I am already exhausted from reading about all these shenanigans. Have mercy on us!
8
What's 100 mil to someone that rich...
Easily overlooked and barley worth mentioning.
Director of an offshore investment company? It is hard to remember what companies we run sometimes.
Leave the poor billionaire alone already!
Easily overlooked and barley worth mentioning.
Director of an offshore investment company? It is hard to remember what companies we run sometimes.
Leave the poor billionaire alone already!
10
What we miss here is the stupidity of the American voter when they see how rich some of these people are and will not support tax reform that will tax these people, these companies, these avoidance entities. Inequality of wealth and the fair sharing of that wealth through appropriate taxation is the main issue. Not Trump, Not Isis, Not Russia, Not Immigration, Not manufacturing Jobs. It is about not letting people accumulate so much that they forget what they have.
11
Oh you are so right, they have no intent on helping anyone with the exception of themselves. The minority that elected him will find out that truth very shortly. I would laugh at them but it involves me now.
4
One cannot even begin to discuss chaos theory with US voters, who do not even understand what "negative feedback" is.
2
Forgot he left it under the mattress?
2
I watched the hearings. Beyond ethically challenged. Utterly unfit.
5
Now I can't even trust a former Goldman Sachs partner and the "King of Foreclosures"? My faith in humanity is shattered.
6
the bar just keeps getting lower and lower. we're in one of the rings of hell about now.
12
So can we all "forget" to enter a few items on personal income tax returns?
6
Anyone else catch how he said "Nothing could be further than the truth"?
7
One of the more glaring fears so many Republicans had of Hillary Clinton was she either sold out or would sell out to the Wall Street Suits if elected President. Somehow I think the country ended up with this fear/reality by electing Trump. He and his band of not so merry men are doing a pretty good impersonation of what Mrs. Clinton was being accused of. If this entire issue wasn't so pathetic, it would almost be funny - definite fodder for The Onion.
11
Chump change. Like saying 'there's nothing to see in my taxes folks'
5
Blah, blah, blah. Geitner forgot to pay taxes and was still confirmed:
Treasury secretary nominee Timothy Geithner on Wednesday said he made "careless mistakes" when he did not pay all of his taxes while working at the International Monetary Fund and apologized to senators for adding to their burden when the economy is in the midst of a severe recession.
And Harry Reid ditched the filibuster, so...
Treasury secretary nominee Timothy Geithner on Wednesday said he made "careless mistakes" when he did not pay all of his taxes while working at the International Monetary Fund and apologized to senators for adding to their burden when the economy is in the midst of a severe recession.
And Harry Reid ditched the filibuster, so...
2
This is a surprise...
Guns in schools to defend children against grizzlies bears..
Consistent.
Guns in schools to defend children against grizzlies bears..
Consistent.
5
How is it that a patently dishonest person can be tapped to be the Secretary of the Treasury?
What kind of a bizzarro world is this that Comrade Trump is trying to establish?
What kind of a bizzarro world is this that Comrade Trump is trying to establish?
5
Well, without knowing Mr. Mnuchin's net worth, it's hard to know if $100 million truly is just an oversight. Maybe he's worth $10 trillion!
2
To clarify, the pick for Treasury Sec. can't fill out forms correctly? Is that what he will say when he blunders at the expense of the American taxpayers? Oops? I messed a form up and your retirement is gone?
5
Ah, behold the "draining of the swamp" by the soon to be President who hides his taxes behind the faux claim of an audit... do Trump and Mnuchin share the same CPA?
7
This man is lying, anybody of his worth would have lawyers fill out any documentation required and those lawyers would have full knowledge of this liars assets.
If he lies at his confirmation hearing, he will lie anywhere just like Trump does and will continue to do.
The rest of the world will shift investment to Europe and Asia.
As for China, it has a largely self sustaining economy and trades with the rest of the world so I doubt anything Trump will do will worry them economically.
America is going down the toilet .... bye, see you in 4 years.
If he lies at his confirmation hearing, he will lie anywhere just like Trump does and will continue to do.
The rest of the world will shift investment to Europe and Asia.
As for China, it has a largely self sustaining economy and trades with the rest of the world so I doubt anything Trump will do will worry them economically.
America is going down the toilet .... bye, see you in 4 years.
3
What do we expect from the slime from Goldman Sachs? They have proved themselves to be corrupt, greedy multimillionaires who take every opportunity to make a buck, by hook or by crook (literally!). What additional proof does the American public need to realize that this president-elect and his "associates" are rotten to the core, both personally and professionally. Pathetic. Just wait and see as the consequences roll in, no one in this country will admit voting for this ignorant, unfit president-elect, donald trump.
5
He just forgot. He is very busy chasing old ladies out of the houses they used to own, and what is a 100 million really worth, anyway?
11
Trump won the election because he was neither a Republican, Democrat, nor from Washington (and he promised to drain the swamp)
Steven Mnuchin is exactly the person Trump vowed to go after.
Wait until the fools who fell for Trump's act wake up
Steven Mnuchin is exactly the person Trump vowed to go after.
Wait until the fools who fell for Trump's act wake up
10
Try to make the inauguration speech fun. Keep track of each time:
1) he plugs one of his businesses or products
2) demeans someone (verbally or acting mockingly)
3) brags about winning the election in a landslide
4) say that something was rigged against him
5) say how bad the Obama administration was
6) call articles about him "fake news" and blames the press
7) goes off the teleprompter and say something asinine
8) mentions himself in the third person
9) say how great his Utopia will be as President
10) gives a shout-out to Putin
1) he plugs one of his businesses or products
2) demeans someone (verbally or acting mockingly)
3) brags about winning the election in a landslide
4) say that something was rigged against him
5) say how bad the Obama administration was
6) call articles about him "fake news" and blames the press
7) goes off the teleprompter and say something asinine
8) mentions himself in the third person
9) say how great his Utopia will be as President
10) gives a shout-out to Putin
14
If this is a drinking game, most will be drunk before the Donald climbs the steps to the platform.
1
Climb the steps? I thought he was to be carried there in a golden litter supported by four bikini-clad beauty contestants. Learn something new everyday, I guess.
4
Oddly enough my internet and cable tv links went down yesterday afternoon about 4PM. OMG! rigged tv conspiracy?
Loved the new drinking game. It can be applied for the next 4 years.
Just read that (on mobile phone) that the trump team wanted a communist style parade down Pennsylvania Ave, complete with missiles and tanks. Can goose-stepping be far behind?
Loved the new drinking game. It can be applied for the next 4 years.
Just read that (on mobile phone) that the trump team wanted a communist style parade down Pennsylvania Ave, complete with missiles and tanks. Can goose-stepping be far behind?
1
Let me get this straight: the disclosure forms are too complicated, but overseeing a $16.7 trillion economy, that's easy peasy.
7
100 million forgotten that says alot about the man tight there.A mere rounding error.
2
The minority has elected an ethically challenged president. And when you point out all the flaws and hypocrisies of the billionaires that have been nominated to shape policy they become angry. They are incapable of having an honest discussion on the issues. Which is why the majority is in despair.
6
So back then, Hillary Clinton was the wicked witch of all the directions for her association with Wall Street. But now, PE Trump fills his cabinet with Wall Street and it's changing how we're governed. Now I get it.
11
If one cannot fill out the application then surely one is NOT at all qualified for the position. KIDS. LAWN. NOW!
6
Mnuchin must have so much money that he could not remember where the hell he stashed them away. I know mine. Penny to my penny jar!
5
I am so glad Mr Mnuchin forgot to disclose $100 million in income, destroyed lives with over 60,000 foreclosures and has accounts in the Cayman Islands. Having paid taxes on my ordinary income for half a century--including during my "working" retirement--I am so glad I need not pay anymore federal or state taxes. Why should us little folk pay taxes when Trump doesn't? Let the grassroots rebellion begin!
22
Grassroots Rebellion Slogan
"Act like President Trump, don't pay income taxes!"
After a year of Trumpy policies & corruption who will have money left to pay taxes except the million/billionaires.
"Act like President Trump, don't pay income taxes!"
After a year of Trumpy policies & corruption who will have money left to pay taxes except the million/billionaires.
C'mon, give it a break.
3
This reminds me of when John McCain was running for President and was asked how many houses he owned. McCain replied that he "didn't know" and couldn't even give a "ballpark figure." Turns out the answer was "15 houses."
Here, I can imagine forgetting some assets, but I'm pretty sure I know within $100 million or so what my assets include. I haven't seen the forms Mnuching filled out, and thus reserve judgment. Nevertheless, if Mnuchin made his way to the end of these forms and somehow hadn't managed to disclose these $100 million in real estate assets, he should have mentioned that fact to someone and then made sure that the Senators were somehow made aware of those assets, whether or not the forms technically required them to be disclosed.
Here, I can imagine forgetting some assets, but I'm pretty sure I know within $100 million or so what my assets include. I haven't seen the forms Mnuching filled out, and thus reserve judgment. Nevertheless, if Mnuchin made his way to the end of these forms and somehow hadn't managed to disclose these $100 million in real estate assets, he should have mentioned that fact to someone and then made sure that the Senators were somehow made aware of those assets, whether or not the forms technically required them to be disclosed.
14
Here's the GOP for you:
Rail on Hillary for giving a speech to GS for $250,000.
Turn around and appoint GS' poster boy for Secretary of Treasury who happened to forget a quarter of his assets and management an off-short tax haven.
Incredible how that works out for them.
Rail on Hillary for giving a speech to GS for $250,000.
Turn around and appoint GS' poster boy for Secretary of Treasury who happened to forget a quarter of his assets and management an off-short tax haven.
Incredible how that works out for them.
55
America is in for a very rough 4 years. Please, God, let it only be 4.
29
4? Now that they're in the plutocrats aren't going to let there be another free and fair election ever again. Your democracy is finished.
1
wuchmee,
Here in the frozen north we pray differently,
I think Donald Trump is an ignoramus. I think he will isolate the US from the Western Democracies. I pray I am so wrong that in four years Donald Trump will be re-elected and that the vast majority of Americans think he belongs on Mount Rushmore. My fear however is that in four years Donald Trump will be re-elected by the only 10% that count.
Here in the frozen north we pray differently,
I think Donald Trump is an ignoramus. I think he will isolate the US from the Western Democracies. I pray I am so wrong that in four years Donald Trump will be re-elected and that the vast majority of Americans think he belongs on Mount Rushmore. My fear however is that in four years Donald Trump will be re-elected by the only 10% that count.
He must not actually need it. I'd be glad to take even a fraction of it off his hands...
7
Former Goldman Sachs employee failing to do the ethical, right thing? Color me shocked. Congress and the feds had the opportunity to have nailed the banking industry to the wall 7-8 years ago and didn't do it. Their loyalty to the banking industry is decades-long now, and will not change in my lifetime.
26
Bank depositors got nailed to the wall to atone for the excesses of the mortgage securitization business.
2
Steve Bolger
Bank depositors didn't lose a nickel in the financial crisis
Bank depositors didn't lose a nickel in the financial crisis
According to Fortune Magazine, Mnuchin is worth in the vicinity of 500 million dollars, "more or less". So his 100 million dollar oversight is a substantial fraction of his net worth. If he hired a bunch of lawyers to go over his assets, and they left out 10-20 percent, they need to be fired, bigly. As many readers have commented, he was probably trying to sweep it under the rug.
33
GOP will approve this scoundrel anyway, won't they? I mean "out of respect for the office"?
1
Show us the Prez-elect taxes. Show us the money.
36
We're still anxiously awaiting the release of Obama's transcripts, teachings, writings so that the candidate for President can be properly understood and vetted. Since the table has been set, Mr. Trump can release his tax returns at some point after his presidency.
Raised in my youth in north Philadelphia, I am the son of a PFD fireman, conservative outlook as my father conveyed to us.But this republican party today they just don't give a rats a** about the middle class. We are in deep doo-doo if even half the Trump cabinet members are cleared . They come off as clowns with no experience but with deep pockets
33
Somewhere, Alexander Hamilton's ghost is weeping. Hamilton would have run circles around Mnuchin (or, for that matter, any of the other Trumpistan cabinet choices).
Mnuchin wants to head the Treasury, but has $100 million offshore in the Caymans (how patriotic of him!), AND he can't remember to list all his assets on the forms because he "misunderstood" the forms he had to fill in? This is not the junior varsity squad you're trying out for, Mnuchin.
Mnuchin wants to head the Treasury, but has $100 million offshore in the Caymans (how patriotic of him!), AND he can't remember to list all his assets on the forms because he "misunderstood" the forms he had to fill in? This is not the junior varsity squad you're trying out for, Mnuchin.
25
If I were to fail to report $1,000 on my tax return, I'd be in big trouble. For me, it's finally come down to a kind of bafflement. Why don't rules apply equally to businesses and individuals?
91
You wouldn't be in big trouble. You'd get a letter indicating the discrepancy and asked to pay up or appeal.
Rounding error.
18
It's annoying that the Republicans see no problems with Mnuchin forgetting about his extra 100 million dollars and forgetting about the Cayman Islands. I think the Republicans plan to approve all of Trump's nominees no matter how crooked or loathsome they are. They are not looking out for the best interests for all Americans.
32
Failure to fill out a personal financial statement on a loan application to a federal bank is a serious offense and has landed many fraudsters in jail. Financial disclosure is serious business.
17
I hate it when I forget my $100 million in my other pants when I go to pick up my private jet, and have to have my butler bring it for me. Such problems we everyday people have to deal with... ;(
9
Currently, at the feet of honest Abe, a parade of third rate musicians are desperately cheering an unwilling nation. This preceded by days of hearings of first rate crooks, gives us a sinking feeling that we might be, indeed, in big trouble.
16
I could not watch another public appearance by this bogus President-elect. It was hard to watch him at the beginning of his hateful campaign. It is now impossible. Hopefully, the NYT and other papers of record will keep us posted on the most significant, or awful decisions made by the new plutocracy. Please follow up on the Carrier job saving move to Mexico. And, continue to report on Tillerson's drilling rights all over Russia and the Baltic States (now under threat from Putin and the new "Soviet Empire"). This is shaping up to be a new Guilded Age beyond imagination.
3
And this is just one billionaire. How much do the others have hidden away in their tax shelters? And in numbered accounts?
Every billionaire in the world has hidden their money in tax shelters to avoid judgements and minimize taxes - every single one. If you have over $5 million, your accountant will immediately suggest a tax shelter.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-04-17/how-to-pay-no-taxes-1...
Every billionaire in the world has hidden their money in tax shelters to avoid judgements and minimize taxes - every single one. If you have over $5 million, your accountant will immediately suggest a tax shelter.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-04-17/how-to-pay-no-taxes-1...
9
His testimony is that his lawyer had him do that and the lawyer helped other people get confirmed. I would like to also add that if you wantched the confirmation hearings the committee was so busy asking and answering their own questions that he didn't even have to be there. But that doesn't get the internet wet.
4
It was H and R Block. He got his taxes WON, proving the value of their John Hamm as campaign.
He can't manage the disclosure forms but thinks he can manage the Treasury?
23
Geitner forgot to pay his taxes but Obama put him in charge of the Treasury.
1
Ok folks, when it comes time to write a check to the IRS this year, all should refuse. There is no rational reason for anyone to pay taxes in a society where Trump pays zero and Mnuchin and others like him can do the same. Time for us to stop being the suckers Trump confidently expects we will continue to be.
25
I'm going to opt out of paying my next $100 million in taxes just so we're even. I'll have to live until I'm 483 years old but that's my plan.
2
What is the point. Whoever Trump picks, will be approved regardless. Trump and his family are in office despite the clear conflicts of interest. Trump is in office even though, through out the campaign he welcomed & supported the email leaks. He did not condone and he was not outraged. This was indirect collusion. Yet, he is in office. People became weary of the leaks and it reflected poorly on the DNC and Clinton. That is why Trump won. Trump chose Bannon and Jared Kushner. I guess, we do not live in a Democracy.
15
It probably just slipped his mind. Come on, it's only 100 million.
14
This reminds me back in the 1970's when there were public hearings when they legalized casino gambling in NJ. They had this one guy, who was reputed to be a mob associate, who was part of a group of investors applying for a license. The guy invested like 5 million dollars, and they asked the guy under oath where he got that money, given he was a junk dealer or some such. His response reminds me of this "Oh, I dug it up from a hole in my yard", and when they asked him why the money was there, he said "I dunno, it was just there"
16
Buried treasure
1
Here's an idea: any asset omitted from financial disclosure forms is forfeited.
26
Why should he tell the truth when his boss lies every day.
32
Sometimes I forget about the 100M I own too.
. . . when we last saw real-estate mogul Trump he had left his lair in Gotham City and was headed for his new home in Federal City. Meanwhile his nominee for the Treasury Dept., Steven Mnuchin, known to his associates as The Cayman, was describing how he would close awkward loopholes.
11
So, are the POW, BOFF and ZAP graphics representative of the US taking it on the chin?
If the forms were too complicated for him to understand, is he smart enough to run the Treasury?
14
The forms are just so complicated! All I want to do is be little old Secretary of the Treasury.
9
The Karma Wheel has finally come round to give Americans their just rewards for their war crimes. So be it.
5
Mnuchin and Price, like Trump, couldn't say FU to the American Public any clearer.
Mnuchin, "I forgot the 100 mil."
Price, "my broker did it"
Trump, "my taxes are under audit."
-Diana
Mnuchin, "I forgot the 100 mil."
Price, "my broker did it"
Trump, "my taxes are under audit."
-Diana
35
if the forms to qualify for the job are too tough, Steve, I suggest that the job itself is outta your league. Try for a different gig. Hmmm..maybe unindicted tax cheat?
15
I sympathize with Mr. Mnuchin on this.
Just last week I came under severe questioning from my wife after she discovered a twenty dollar bill in an old wallet of mine.
Just last week I came under severe questioning from my wife after she discovered a twenty dollar bill in an old wallet of mine.
17
I found a Susan B Anthony in my sofa once!
1
We're now finding out what "friendly with Goldman Sachs" really means. Busters take note.
11
Obama's top two economic advisors were Timothy Geithner and Larry Summers. Rather than take office as filthy rich, they took the opposite route. Each parlayed government service into a private sector job where they basically manufacture money. Geithner is the head of an equity fund and Summers has made millions at a hedge fund (after his stint with the Clinton administration). That raises the question whether you prefer those who make it big on their own or those who use the prestige of government work to make it big later. They all seem like sleazebags to me. Billionaire now. Billionaire later. If that's your ambition in life you are not well suited to government service. The Democratic economic advisors and the Republican economic advisors are all the same when it comes to money.
4
"The Democratic economic advisors and the Republican economic advisors are all the same when it comes to money."
That may be true but the dem's don't act like such scoflaws (offshoring money, lyinreg about assets, etc.) The dem's are more susceptible to negative public opinion, and are loath to overtly steal. The party of Lincoln, on the other hand, will steal and then lie, to cover it up. The dem's are more like normal people, prone to relatively small pecadillos, the repubs are like sociopathic criminals.
That may be true but the dem's don't act like such scoflaws (offshoring money, lyinreg about assets, etc.) The dem's are more susceptible to negative public opinion, and are loath to overtly steal. The party of Lincoln, on the other hand, will steal and then lie, to cover it up. The dem's are more like normal people, prone to relatively small pecadillos, the repubs are like sociopathic criminals.
5
Absolutely cannot tell the truth - just like Trump. Terrible choice. No to his confirmation
14
$100 million here, $100 million there. Before you know it you are talking about real money.
22
Thanks, Senator Dirksen. Only 50 years ago, and the figure has increased by three orders of magnitude.
2
this is to Alan's disgusting slavery remark. Dude, study up on your history... before the 1960's the entire South were Democrats. The only reason they became Republicans was because they didn't want their children to go to school with black children. So they changed parties and created private schools in almost every town in the south, which was a reprehensible thing to do and offensive, just like you...
.
.
15
Mnuchin made an honest mistake, one any one of us who own more homes than we can remember (with a value of a mere $95 million) might make, such as overlooking four of them. Mnuchin probably had not been to any of them for a month or two, so a guy might forget, right? Hey, John McCain did not recall how many homes he had when asked in 2008. Ho only had 7 or 8.
Mnuichin made a perfectly honest mistake in omitting a company worth $100 million in the Cayman Islands. After all, he might not have been clear that ALL of his companies were to be listed, not just the ones organized in the US. Hey, what is a mere $100 mill pittance to a billionaire like him? ("Oh, you wanted to know about EVERY ONE of my companies?")
Have a little patience with a guy who has not filled out some simple forms for a long time. Hey, he probably hasn't done one of those since he applied to college or something. He was out of practice, right?
And this bozo is expected to run the financial house of your US government? Great start, Steve. If you worked for me you would have been fired a long time ago, Steve.
Mnuichin made a perfectly honest mistake in omitting a company worth $100 million in the Cayman Islands. After all, he might not have been clear that ALL of his companies were to be listed, not just the ones organized in the US. Hey, what is a mere $100 mill pittance to a billionaire like him? ("Oh, you wanted to know about EVERY ONE of my companies?")
Have a little patience with a guy who has not filled out some simple forms for a long time. Hey, he probably hasn't done one of those since he applied to college or something. He was out of practice, right?
And this bozo is expected to run the financial house of your US government? Great start, Steve. If you worked for me you would have been fired a long time ago, Steve.
10
Oh give the poor fella break. How many of us have just totally forgotten about that Caymen Island account stash? And anyway it just amounts to a minor rounding error.....in accordance with the law, of course.
5
Obscene: putting this tax dodger in charge of our Treasury.
13
Is this there ANYTHING that could cause republicans to vote against any nominee? Anything?
Kakistocracy, here we come.
Kakistocracy, here we come.
14
Hey, hasn't anyone of us forgot about $100 million we have somewhere, at least once?
7
Personally, I think Steven Mnuchin is attempting to do a "Ronald Reagan" stunt i.e. Iran-Contra Affair by not recalling or disclosing information because of perhaps a memory loss due to maybe Alzheimer's. I realize that is quite a stretch, but so is conveniently not revealing nor disclosing not a few millions of dollars, but 100 million dollars. No one has a back pocket or wallet that big to forget that kind of money is there. If I for Mnuchin's accountant, I would seriously be looking for a Plan B because he or she could very well end up like Oliver North - holding the bag - only it will NOT be filled with millions of dollars - just prison garb.
9
Hey, this is the 21st century. He does his own accounting with Quicken.
1
This is not normal.
This is not normal.
This is not normal.
This is OUR democracy.
They do not get to bend and break all of our American ideals and values to satisfy their greedy ends. Not on our watch. We the people will not go quiet into the night. Press the panic button everyone. It's time.
This is not normal.
This is not normal.
This is OUR democracy.
They do not get to bend and break all of our American ideals and values to satisfy their greedy ends. Not on our watch. We the people will not go quiet into the night. Press the panic button everyone. It's time.
21
The American ideal is obviously conning people. The Electoral College is a scam that fools millions of Americans that their vote even matters.
8
When Scalia gave the Presidency to George W. Bush, he gave the government to Saudi Arabia oil interests. After Saudi pilots took down the Towers, Bush got Saudis out of the country, after all flights were grounded. The difference between Bush and Trump is that Bush was not mean; his wife was a champion of libraries and wild flowers, and he gave aid to HIV victims in Africa. Trump is mean; his wife plagiarized a speech from Michelle Obama; his son Don, Jr. is bribing officials in Mumbai to build a Tower on land fill; his Cabinet is a crowd of plutocrats with their hands all over any resources, at home and abroad. Trump will tweet; his Cabinet will loot and pillage while we pay attention to illiterate tweets.
2
As I watched "Gotham" on Fox the other night, I thought I had tuned into a documentary about the Trump administration.
1
Can we get these cabinet nominees to have a poker game? Say $100,000 opening ante? They are all billionaires, right?
They would end up shooting each other because somebody cheated. Probably after the first hand.
They would end up shooting each other because somebody cheated. Probably after the first hand.
4
No big deal at all, for these folks 100 million is a rounding error.
6
What? You cannot be serious? You mean this guy from Goldman Sachs that took over Indymac bank and then received TARP funds for all the foreclosed loans he refused to modify and turned the bank into OneWest and then sold it for a profit of more than $1 Billion is shady? Did this same article run in the Wall Street Journal?
12
"Oh, look, honey !"
"I just found $100 million in my sock drawer...."
"I just found $100 million in my sock drawer...."
22
think about what he will find under the sofa cushions...
10
You know, my husband and I are both retired, and he does some odd jobs for people which, at 71, with blown shoulders from a lifetime as a Florida commercial fisherman, means he can't work over his head or lift heavy weights by himself like he used to, like pull wells.
I taught and now do some free lance writing.
I am 64, he is 71. I took early SS.
Every year when we file our taxes we sit and think about what we earned above and beyond our Social Security earned income ability - how much is allowed? Joint? We don't keep real good records, but could get them if we get audited. He caught a few mullet and sold them with the fishing license he gets for life now at his age. Do we have to add this to our income?
Thank god for Medicare for him and Obamacare for me - we have health insurance we did not have a few years ago and are afraid we will not have soon.
We paid our house off after paying for 30 years thank god.
Forget $100,000,000 in assets? Being a manager of a hedge fund in the Caymens? Not understanding the forms? Omissions? Unintentional?
Will Mr. Mnuchin come with Mr. Parker and me if we made a mistake on our tax returns recently and tell them how these things can happen with people who are not sophisticated in the world of finance?
I taught and now do some free lance writing.
I am 64, he is 71. I took early SS.
Every year when we file our taxes we sit and think about what we earned above and beyond our Social Security earned income ability - how much is allowed? Joint? We don't keep real good records, but could get them if we get audited. He caught a few mullet and sold them with the fishing license he gets for life now at his age. Do we have to add this to our income?
Thank god for Medicare for him and Obamacare for me - we have health insurance we did not have a few years ago and are afraid we will not have soon.
We paid our house off after paying for 30 years thank god.
Forget $100,000,000 in assets? Being a manager of a hedge fund in the Caymens? Not understanding the forms? Omissions? Unintentional?
Will Mr. Mnuchin come with Mr. Parker and me if we made a mistake on our tax returns recently and tell them how these things can happen with people who are not sophisticated in the world of finance?
63
Please remember who gave you Social Security: FDR, a Democrat. Harry Truman, a Democrat, gave you Medicare. Hoover gave the country a Depression. Bush gave his friends a huge tax cut, then started a war for oil; he left us with a Recession, depleted revenue and an unfinished war. Obama paid down Bush's deficit, ended the Iraq war, and created jobs for ordinary people. For some reason, enough Electoral College States voted for the man who handed out gimme hats and claimed credit for jobs Carrier had already saved before moving other jobs to Mexico. I believe Social Security is independent of government interference and cannot be looted; Bush tried and couldn't touch it. Medicare, under Paul Ryan, can be damaged by a voucher program unaffordable to those living on SS. The irony about Ryan is that his family existed on Federal welfare benefits, and he went to school of Federal grants. He is a big Ayn Rand fan; the woman who ended her life on Federal welfare and government health hand outs after she squandered her publishing money. Trump inherited his fortune and squandered it. His real estate ventures are mired in debt. Who bailed him out? Why is he so fond of Putin?
1
Last year as I planned to paint my kitchen, I forgot I already owned a paint roller and needlessly bought another so I'm sympathetic to him.
1
I have never seen you Democrats so mad since us Republicans took all of your then slaves away.
3
I'm pretty sure no one considers the GOP the party of Lincoln anymore, unless one is delusional.
3
What a silly comment! Since the passage of the Civil Right Bill in 1964 the southern states became angry at the Democrats and became Republican. Today's Republican Party is emphatically not the party of Lincoln.
4
Let's hear you gloat when you lose your health care and s.s.
7
I hate when that happens! (Imagine if Hillary did the same...)
18
Let us not miss the obvious.
Trump ran as a REPUBLICAN.
The Cabinet nominees are REPUBLICAN
This will be a REPUBLICAN Administration supported by a REPUBLICAN House and Senate.
'When the inevitable Impeachment for CORRUPTION happens. It will be an indictment of the REPUBLICAN PARTY
Trump ran as a REPUBLICAN.
The Cabinet nominees are REPUBLICAN
This will be a REPUBLICAN Administration supported by a REPUBLICAN House and Senate.
'When the inevitable Impeachment for CORRUPTION happens. It will be an indictment of the REPUBLICAN PARTY
22
so true
1
What a surprise!
8
Draining the Swamp?
13
Why just the other day when I opened my wallet to pay for an ice cream cone was I ever surprised to see an extra $100 million in there. Turns out I had completely forgotten about it! Don't you love it when that happens?
33
This is poor reporting because it gives insufficient context. $100M out of what?!?
If his net worth is $200M, then accidentally forgetting about $100M unbelievable. On the other hand, if his net worth is $10B, then $100M is trivial for him and understandable.
If his net worth is $200M, then accidentally forgetting about $100M unbelievable. On the other hand, if his net worth is $10B, then $100M is trivial for him and understandable.
24
Uh, no.
16
If $100 million is such a non-consequential amount of money to Mr. Mnuchin, why invest it at all? Just give it away. Help bring back the New York City Opera. Provide scholarships at CUNY. If it's such a small amount that no one wants it, I'll be glad to take it, i.e. help Mr. Mnuchin get rid of pocket change.
3
Whatever the context, $100 million is a substantial amount of money in assets, one not easily forgotten. If he considers $100 million a trivial amount, he will certainly be out of touch with the problems of ordinary Americans, to whom $100.00 dollars is a lot of money.
7
Why is America so enthusiastic to be ravished oligarchs?
16
What's a few measly million dollars among gazillionaires, right?
4
Hey stupid progressives. The reason he has all billionaires running our country is because of the most successful people of all time. Maybe if you stop watching your fake news then you would understand that. Turn off MSNBC and turn on CNN. You're a bunch of emotional zombies it's almost like Mass hysteria in our country not like it it is necessary that you were completely completely off the hinges. Half of you should probably be locked up in padded rooms then you'll be safe. When did our country start pumping out idiots like all of you. Incapable of thinking just following stupidity
2
Uh, you mean the billionaires you were all ranting about before the election? The ones that had filled the "swamp"? Now it's all OK, right? So who belongs in a padded cell?
12
This statement made absolutely no sense.
So the brightest people in the industry can't complete a form to disclose the truth? But they should be trusted to run important parts of the country? Say that out loud and tell me if that makes sense.
There's also a thing called privilege. They aren't necessarily all wealthy because of hard work, determination and intelligence- it's inherited.
So the brightest people in the industry can't complete a form to disclose the truth? But they should be trusted to run important parts of the country? Say that out loud and tell me if that makes sense.
There's also a thing called privilege. They aren't necessarily all wealthy because of hard work, determination and intelligence- it's inherited.
8
And they think the guy who forgot $100 million is going to remember the little guy once he's in office
8
Does this REALLY surprise anybody?? And we are just beginning to see the tiny, lille tip of the cheating "iceberg"? Stay tuned. There is lots of room where this first lie and/or obfuscation arose......
6
The Wall Street Swamp draineth down to Washington Dee Sea
11
Another loathsome grifter....his banking 'history' in Southern California is reprehensible. Redliner in chief.......
https://therealdeal.com/miami/2016/11/19/onewest-bank-founded-by-steven-...
https://therealdeal.com/miami/2016/11/19/onewest-bank-founded-by-steven-...
13
"“We have by far the highest I.Q. of any cabinet ever assembled,” Mr. Trump said"
Really? Who considers an "IQ" a measure of anything these days?
Your "cabinet" hasn't been approved yet, never mind assembled.
And your pick for Secretary of The Treasury wasn't INTELLIGENT enough to realize he couldn't hide 100 MILLION offshore dollars from congress.
Really? Who considers an "IQ" a measure of anything these days?
Your "cabinet" hasn't been approved yet, never mind assembled.
And your pick for Secretary of The Treasury wasn't INTELLIGENT enough to realize he couldn't hide 100 MILLION offshore dollars from congress.
14
You go, Senator Schumer!
9
Eh, who *hasn't* forgotten about one or two of their houses?
7
Unbelievable! Overlooked $100 million.! And he will be in charge of the US Treasury!
16
Aside from loving the smell of greed in the morning, Mr. Mnuchin also likes to trade in his older model wives for younger ones, who in Mnuchin's case was sitting behind him during his obfuscation hearing.
Like candidate; like nominee.
Nice people....reeking of good ethics, high standards and boiling pots of gold.
Like candidate; like nominee.
Nice people....reeking of good ethics, high standards and boiling pots of gold.
27
I don't blame the con-men as much as the shills that gave them power. Man, are some Americans stupid!
3
OOPS! Don't we all wish we had a $100 million to misplace. Come on Steve....focus. We don't want you misplacing $100 billion at the Treasury.
11
Perfectly reasonable: he probably just left that 100 million in his other pants' pocket.
Cayman Islands fund? "Oh. I thought that it didn't count because it's shielded from the IRS."
Cayman Islands fund? "Oh. I thought that it didn't count because it's shielded from the IRS."
4
This man is EXACTLY what we do NOT want as treasury secretary. We can be reasonably confident that he will have ZERO interest in doing the greatest good for the majority of the people while, at the same time, greasing the skids for his buddys out at South Hampton and back at Goldman. A thoroughly despicable candidate.
7
This is very simple: JAIL!!!
10
His bank foreclosed on a 90-year-old woman for a 27-cent mistake. What should be the penalty for a $100 million mistake?...
15
check out this cute t-shirt :D teechip.com/pandat-shirt
The first of series of "rounding errors" perhaps?
3
"Republicans came to Mr. Mnuchin’s defense, suggesting that none of his omissions were willful,... they would vote for him."
Forgetting $100 mill is NOT WILLFUL? Still debating with myself about what's most insane - 'forgetting' $100 mill or believing it was a mistake.
Just what swamp was it T wanted to drain?
Forgetting $100 mill is NOT WILLFUL? Still debating with myself about what's most insane - 'forgetting' $100 mill or believing it was a mistake.
Just what swamp was it T wanted to drain?
8
Another Munchkin on the yellow brick road to the golden showers of Trumpistan? Build that swamp! Build that swamp!
8
Maybe he'll have the interests of the country like he worked to hide millions for his clients in the Cayman Islands. Yeah, he'll turn over a new leaf. Trust Trump and his cronies. They'll make USA great again for everyone!
6
The swamp keeps getting bigger and bigger. What drain it?!
3
Gee; he "forgot" he an extra $100-.million in goodies ?
7
A Treasury Secretary with offshore accounts....of course he pays his taxes:)
12
Just another crazy pick for Trump's cabinet of horrors.
9
You just never know the kind of stuff you'll find when you drain the swamp.
11
Mnuchin looked like, and sounded like a gloating smirky billionaire. He forgot 100 million in disclosures. And this is Alexander Hamilton's descendant? More like Groucho Marx.
12
Apparently trump is draining the swamp right into his Cabinet and inner circle. Let's see your tax returns trump, what are you hiding.
12
When you go to a Japanese buffet, don't act surprised when you find raw fish in the food!
3
He said: 5,000 pages....complicated....oversight.
I say: US Treasury Department....key global economy influencer....excuses.
They say: to be determined.
I say: US Treasury Department....key global economy influencer....excuses.
They say: to be determined.
7
I'm shocked! Shocked! Shocked that he did not disclosure this measly little $100 million in chump change. So shocked that if this does not disqualify him, I do not know what is. But then again, if your boss is covering up his assets, you might as well keep yours covered as well. Another Goldman Sachs crook guarding the nation's money house.
11
Oops. Maybe math isn't his strength. Or, he's a liar. Either way, he'll fit in perfectly with the rest of the unqualified and self-dealing Trump team.
6
Mnuchin probably is trying to hide assets from wives 1 through 3 and the 4th wife behind him will want her cut soon enough. I almost believe these elites are so wealthy that $100 million truly is a "Rounding Error".
9
she looked kind of surprised about the "oversight"
1
When you've got billions, isn't $100 million just a rounding error? Like me forgetting to mention that I own a used piano, circa 1955, not great condition? Why give the guy such a hard time?
5
"...suggesting that none of his omissions were willful..."
So, Trump is nominating a guy for Treasury who forgot that he has $100 million? Surely, he 'd make an excellent secretary in La-la land.
What is just as worrisome is how a GS trader can make such amounts of money, and illustrative of how people are shunting financial resources from the productive economy.
So, Trump is nominating a guy for Treasury who forgot that he has $100 million? Surely, he 'd make an excellent secretary in La-la land.
What is just as worrisome is how a GS trader can make such amounts of money, and illustrative of how people are shunting financial resources from the productive economy.
6
Maybe Mnuchin will be Trump's first pardon.
9
Trump: I'll choose the best people for my administration!
4
What is going on here with Mnuchin. What is going on, really going on with all the cabinet nominees, beginning with the Mad Man to head it all? We are on the other side of the looking glass, and are falling, falling deep down the rabbit hole. Howdy to madness. How can these people be approved to run our government? I don't approve - I am an honest tax paying citizen -get it HONEST! HONEST I expect no less - but in fact the utmost integrity and clarity from those running my country. I do not feel safe, in fact, I am sad, frightened and furious.
10
When is a (former) banker from Goldman Sachs telling a lie? Whenever he opens his mouth. (sorry lawyers for appropriating a joke mostly aimed at your profession).
6
Mnuchin - "the omission of small, precise, or trivial details of something."
4
His whole cabinet reads like Animal Farm. A bunch of pigs. And we all know how that turned out.
PS. Read it soon before Betsy DeVos bans the book.
PS. Read it soon before Betsy DeVos bans the book.
19
I guess Mnuchin isn't much of a contributor to Trump's "highest ever IQ" cabinet if he can't figure out financial disclosure forms.
8
The lease between the General Services Administration and the Trump company includes a clause — “no member or delegate to Congress, or elected official of the government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia, shall be admitted to any share or part of this lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom” — that federal contract experts say makes clear that Mr. Trump will be in violation of the deal as soon as he is sworn in.
“The basic integrity and credibility of the president of the United States of the federal procurement and contracting regime is at risk,” said Steven L. Schooner, a professor specializing in government procurement law at George Washington University. “We are about to have a legitimate scandal on our hands.”
This is Pence's cabinet. He assembled this team of mis-fits because: drumpf is going to be inaugurated and then when it looks like he'll have to give up the lease on the Old Post Hotel and all his loans from foreign banks drumpf will act like a martyr and resign. Pence takes over and has the cabinet of his choice.
“The basic integrity and credibility of the president of the United States of the federal procurement and contracting regime is at risk,” said Steven L. Schooner, a professor specializing in government procurement law at George Washington University. “We are about to have a legitimate scandal on our hands.”
This is Pence's cabinet. He assembled this team of mis-fits because: drumpf is going to be inaugurated and then when it looks like he'll have to give up the lease on the Old Post Hotel and all his loans from foreign banks drumpf will act like a martyr and resign. Pence takes over and has the cabinet of his choice.
8
These folks attribute their mysterious successes to divine intervention. Butter doesn't melt in their mouths.
3
Come on man, no excuse for not at least giving the appearance of being a law abiding, stand-up, tax-paying, citizen in front of congress when your'e going for the job of, uh, heading the US Treasury. He should be disqualified on that score alone. Disgraceful.
9
Gee, only one hundred million. No wonder Trump nominated him. They both play that game of hide and seek. This is a harbinger of the Trump kleptocracy.
10
“If the confirmation process focused mainly on the question of a nominee’s qualifications, there would be little, if any, opposition to Mr. Mnuchin’s nomination.”
...and Hannibal Lecter would be a shoo-in for a Board position at McKesson. You should be ashamed simply for having the temerity to voice such convoluted logic, Orrin Hatch.
...and Hannibal Lecter would be a shoo-in for a Board position at McKesson. You should be ashamed simply for having the temerity to voice such convoluted logic, Orrin Hatch.
5
Only 100 million? Give the guy a break; anyone could make that mistake.
4
Oops. I am sure glad Trumpnis drainingthe swampmliek he said and only bringing in honest folks. Not to worry though--Republicans will get in line behind their President and vote unanimously to confirm him anyway.
4
The sad part is that in his world it is a rounding error. Or the amount you set aside to pay a fine.
2
Reinhart and Rogoff would call this a rounding error.
1
Posting here is not enough! Twitter/Facebook is the key. Preferably something catchy and newsworthy. Only when there is public outrage is going to change any thing! Send messages to our fine elected representatives.
4
This nominee wants to get rid of the Volker rule which was just put in place as a result of the 2008 crash. He whined that the banks are "too illiquid" to serve clients. I say maybe the banks are over-extended in that they have failed to retain adequate capital and/or over-leveraged. This nominee cannot be good for us.
9
And so it starts. Just one day before the inauguration the Treasury Secretary nominee can't even keep track of $100 million of his own money!
Just wait until the rest of Trump's clown car start to lie, cheat, steal at the public trough. Should be an "interesting" 4 years!
Just wait until the rest of Trump's clown car start to lie, cheat, steal at the public trough. Should be an "interesting" 4 years!
6
The 1% now officially in control of every aspect of our lives put there by all of the rust belt voters who thought that a con man who sits on a toilet made of gold had their best interests at heart.
13
I am concerned that neither Mr. Mnuchin nor the President Elect are able to relate to a the republic and have not lived lives that earn the positions they will occupy.
Senator Hatch defended Mr. Mnuchin, but the Senator is no John Glenn. The President Elect nominated Mr. Mnuchin, but the President Elect is no George H W Bush.
I am concerned that neither comprehends the Constitutional sourced Presidential oath, much less the following tradition:
On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard ), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.
John Glenn did and George H W Bush does.
Senator Hatch defended Mr. Mnuchin, but the Senator is no John Glenn. The President Elect nominated Mr. Mnuchin, but the President Elect is no George H W Bush.
I am concerned that neither comprehends the Constitutional sourced Presidential oath, much less the following tradition:
On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard ), and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.
John Glenn did and George H W Bush does.
2
He's obviously a liar and a cheat. No one is going to believe he just forgot $100 million in assets. That's absurd. Even Trump voters know it.
If it smells like a rat, chances are you're looking at a rat.
If it smells like a rat, chances are you're looking at a rat.
11
"Even Trump voters know it." Yeah, but they don't care and when they will care, it'll be too late to do anything about. A lot of American voters aren't too bright.
2
Looks more and more like Mafia. Draining the swamp by bringing in the Mafia . Fraudster Trump showing his true colours. His voters trusted a fraudster. They deserve home. America deserves someone better. Trump and his cohorts are evil. They are going to destroy the legal system. That's the enemy of the fraudster. That's the swamp he was always talking about. The Mafia knows only one enemy- the law. Now they can bend it. The Republican Party is the new Mafia.
7
It's called a shell game. Trump is shifting debt. You aren't supposed to notice. He plans on grabbing Medicare, healthcare, SS and Medicaid $ to pay for rich tax cuts.
10
If the disclosure forms are too complicated for Mnuchin to fully comprehend, then he certainly lacks the gray matter to be a nominee for Treasury Secretary.
Trump likes to pick people in his own image- liars.
Mnuchin in self-defense of his greed says he wants to simplify the tax code... i.e. reduce taxes on his own wealth.
God bless the United States, Inc.
Trump likes to pick people in his own image- liars.
Mnuchin in self-defense of his greed says he wants to simplify the tax code... i.e. reduce taxes on his own wealth.
God bless the United States, Inc.
10
If he's telling the truth -- and of course he is not -- then it suggests he's not fit for the job if he got overwhelmed by just the application process.
6
Filling out disclosure forms - complicated, identifying opportunities in the tax code to avoid taxes, not so much. Qualification is based on integrity, which is not a sliding scale, you either have it or you don't.
4
The only ones fleeing the swamp are snakes and 'gators to make room for Trump's cabinet. If he was still alive, I'm sure Al Capone would be a nominee.
4
jeff, Al Capone would be the nominee to run the IRS since he knew so much about evading taxes, right? PERFECT (if your name is Emperor Donnie.)
2
$100 million. Feh.
Chump change to a multi-billionaire.
Chump change to a multi-billionaire.
2
What Democratic senators need to do is start reaching out to the Republican senators who they know have a conscience (there have to be a few of them in that august body) and persuade them to vote "no" on everyone of Trump's nominees except for Mattis, Kelly and probably Haley. We're talking about the future of this country, this isn't a reality show.
5
Nice idea but there aren't any Republicans with a conscience. Guarantee they'll vote to confirm with nary a peep
4
What is taking so long? His nominees can not do paperwork, ethic problems and hide million of $. If you can not be honest and ethical you should no be allow to participate.
A good substitute teacher knows more than DeVos. She is terrible and does not want to help kids with special needs. Many special needs kids contribute to society later in life if given a chance.
A good substitute teacher knows more than DeVos. She is terrible and does not want to help kids with special needs. Many special needs kids contribute to society later in life if given a chance.
2
$100 million - that could have been just a rounding error.
2
Bet he had no trouble getting the forms completed for the foreclosures on all those little old ladies and minorities.
11
Well, Trump is bragging about how smart his cabinet is. He is correct. They are sure smart in their fleecing of American citizens. This what the GOP is all about, money and how they can legally steal it. And all the Trump followers are all for it, because Trump and his cabinet are a bunch of old white males.
7
Widow Foreclosures!
It seems so fitting that the loser who had to cough-up $25,000,000 to settle allegations of fraud at trump "University" would select this moral munchkin to be his Treasury Secretary.
I thought drumpf was going to drain the swamp not fill it with muck-rakers like munchkin?!
It seems so fitting that the loser who had to cough-up $25,000,000 to settle allegations of fraud at trump "University" would select this moral munchkin to be his Treasury Secretary.
I thought drumpf was going to drain the swamp not fill it with muck-rakers like munchkin?!
6
Widely-held lore is that DC was built on a swamp. It wasn't. But it's going to become one now.
8
Trump is a bus driver and all the passengers in the bus are members of his cabinet. They go wherever they take him. Crooks are like hackers. They are invaluable to fix the loopholes.
2
So we ought to hire only crooks, who are the "best" at fixing problems?
(Like crooks NEVER, EVER make any problems, right?)
That is what you are saying, Kodall. I do NOT buy it.
(Like crooks NEVER, EVER make any problems, right?)
That is what you are saying, Kodall. I do NOT buy it.
1
Now here's the problem.
Republicans have spent the last eight years telling us that Obama is a "narcissist" and "arrogant." The problem is they were wrong (deliberately so, since they were just trying to badmouth him and turn everyone against him). But now, now we're faced with true narcissism, and true arrogance, blatantly. They might not consider hypocrisy a problem, but how are they going to spin this? The problem with deliberately labeling things as they aren't is when you then must label things as they are.
Republicans have spent the last eight years telling us that Obama is a "narcissist" and "arrogant." The problem is they were wrong (deliberately so, since they were just trying to badmouth him and turn everyone against him). But now, now we're faced with true narcissism, and true arrogance, blatantly. They might not consider hypocrisy a problem, but how are they going to spin this? The problem with deliberately labeling things as they aren't is when you then must label things as they are.
6
NYT is coming dangerously close to becoming the Left's answer to Breitbart News. There seems to be a lot of unnecessary worry & anxiety in the air. Reminder to all we are living in the USA. Trump has 24 months before the next changing of the guard. Relax. Do nothing Washington I highly doubt is going to change all its colors over night. Give the man his cabinet and let's see what the man can do. If we don't like it, we can vote for more change in 2018 (mid-term elections)
19
Can't stand the truth can you? Your candidate and his Billionaire Boys Club are a joke. But that's about what I'd expect from a Trump supporter.
1
Why would you describe this as unnecessary worry and anxiety -- as if they shouldn't be reporting a *massive* financial error? Should they not hold to account nominees that the American people will employ to lead our government?
The NYT and other news organizations would not be doing their jobs -- acting as a watchdog -- if they did not hold those in power to account and that includes reporting that the Treasury nominee forgot to report $100 million in assets. I'm sorry if you don't like what's coming out of the administration but they don't deserve a pass just because they're in power. In fact, it's just the opposite.
The NYT and other news organizations would not be doing their jobs -- acting as a watchdog -- if they did not hold those in power to account and that includes reporting that the Treasury nominee forgot to report $100 million in assets. I'm sorry if you don't like what's coming out of the administration but they don't deserve a pass just because they're in power. In fact, it's just the opposite.
7
Unless the rapid and blatant gerrymandering of congressional districts continues along with the open disenfranchisement of non-Reublican registered voters. And that is the plan.
3
Hold your horses - he did ultimately disclose his residential real estate holdings just not on the original filing. How do you critics know whether the forms are ambiguous or not ? Nobody on this comment thread has ever filled one out. Do any of you do your own taxes ? Geithner underpaid his taxes for years - arguably much more serious in nature - and he was appointed. There was no effort to deliberately hide any of this information and particularly given the nature of these holdings having less potential conflict, give him a break. You might be jealous and you might just be a Democrat but understand that if his attorneys filled this stuff out incorrectly it can't be that easy.
16
You are buying the line that this was a mistake. That's cute. You realize that he has lawyers and accountants doing this for him? You realize that his net worth is about $400m so this is a quarter of all that money. You think it was an accident that he left out the Cayman Islands stuff which is most politically toxic? You don't seem very skeptical to me.
9
@Skeptic:
Tweet:
[quote]
Elizabeth Warren @SenWarren 5h5 hours ago
https://twitter.com/SenWarren
Heather McCreary lost her home when Mnuchin’s bank said she sent the wrong check with her complicated paperwork. https://www.dpcc.senate.gov/files/documents/MnuchinForumMcCreary1.18.17.pdf …[end quote]
I will not "give him a break"!
[4:52pm]
Tweet:
[quote]
Elizabeth Warren @SenWarren 5h5 hours ago
https://twitter.com/SenWarren
Heather McCreary lost her home when Mnuchin’s bank said she sent the wrong check with her complicated paperwork. https://www.dpcc.senate.gov/files/documents/MnuchinForumMcCreary1.18.17.pdf …[end quote]
I will not "give him a break"!
[4:52pm]
9
I was waiting for some one to say this...lo and behold..we are questioning his ethics because we are jealous and also being Democrats!!. "Do any of you do your own taxes you ask..yes sir I do and also many of my friends do!!
7
Well during the live hearing I heard him reply to the (Democratic, I presume) Senator who was questioning him and when he referred to "complicated" it wasn't simply the forms but that his investments were complicated and that he told the Senator prior to the meeting that he'd be happy to explain them in his office after the hearing, and he repeated that during the hearing. I.e., "I'd be happy to explain, but just between us "club members", not in front of the camera and the American people."
12
Certainly the man did not fill out the forms himself. Rich people turn everything, even their kids' school applications, over to their lawyers. And just as surely, there was much discussion about what to put in and what to leave out. As my mother used to say, "I wouldn't believe him farther than I could throw him.
13
This is another example of the 1 % ruling the country. How dumb can voters to actually believe that Trump and his merry band of robber barons actually care about the middle class. The answer in case you are waiting for it, are very dumb, especially in Penna.; Ohio and Michigan. There is such a huge disconnect here in this country. Yes, I can imagine the rage of Trump voters if Hillary had forgotten to list $100,000. The outrage would have been titanic by the goobers of the GOP. Americans are just plain dumb, soon you are going hear alt-right haters in the GOP state that the concentration camps were "fake news". Mark my words, this is only the beginning with this buffoon in office.
12
I just need a barf bag. The next four years are going to be non-stop nauseating with this demon child in office- and he is a child. He is so disassociated from reality, he cannot even discern what is true from what isn't and makes things up whole cloth then disparages the press for reporting his fairy tales and lies. it's just unreal.
16
I can tell you for a fact since I lived it, if i improperly filled out my IndyMac, or make that One West financial forms, and didn't mention significant financial assets or was hiding money in another country, Mr. Mnuchin would of
Foreclosed on my house and kicked me to the curb, time for the senate to do the same
Foreclosed on my house and kicked me to the curb, time for the senate to do the same
10
I'm saddened that nearly every cabinet pick is characterized by their lying and self-aggrandizement. One exception is Rick Perry, who cannot be contributing much to DT's "high IQ" cabinet.
Each of these people appear to be just as despicable and free from any allegiance to this country as the president-elect.
It's revolting and everyone -- Congressional Democrats, the press, every concerned citizen -- needs to have a strategy to combat the unraveling of our nation.
Each of these people appear to be just as despicable and free from any allegiance to this country as the president-elect.
It's revolting and everyone -- Congressional Democrats, the press, every concerned citizen -- needs to have a strategy to combat the unraveling of our nation.
6
Nobody accidentally forgets to disclose their real estate let alone 95 millions worth of real estate. Especially not someone who has several accountants and lawyers filling out these forms.
Looks like Trump wants to surround himself with his ilk. Maybe they can merge their great minds to create lies at the level of a 9 year old.
Looks like Trump wants to surround himself with his ilk. Maybe they can merge their great minds to create lies at the level of a 9 year old.
9
One of the many financial day jobs while working through night school was a tax accountant for paint company in town. At the time this and two other paint companies were reported to receive royalties for patents from about 65% of all paint manufactured globally.
Insurance premiums were paid into the Bahamas and treasury functions for offshore accumulated income were mostly in Panama and a bank in Grand Caymen for the benefit of 23 major US and offshore banks. Japan coined terms such as Zeitech/financial engineering to describe sogo shosha services available to their clients.
Flow charts in popular UK financial publications such as Euromoney, Corporate Finance and Asia Finance described legal ways for private entities to compete with long-term US bond rates up to 17% in the aftermath of the OPEC cartel and Vietnam War inflation.
Our profs, who also taught monetary policy courses at the Universities of Kiel, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Michigan, Cal, explained their difficulty of holding the interest of Congressional sub committees, SEC, IRS, Fed and bankers when presenting papers and testimony about financial engineering.
What Modern Monetary Theory deniers see when confronted by Mnuchin's work product and CV that they express in adjectives, is, for me, a chance of a lifetime for Senators to examine on subsurface and hidden levels of understanding using nouns and verbs.
Senate Finance Committees might not have another chance like this in their lifetimes.
Insurance premiums were paid into the Bahamas and treasury functions for offshore accumulated income were mostly in Panama and a bank in Grand Caymen for the benefit of 23 major US and offshore banks. Japan coined terms such as Zeitech/financial engineering to describe sogo shosha services available to their clients.
Flow charts in popular UK financial publications such as Euromoney, Corporate Finance and Asia Finance described legal ways for private entities to compete with long-term US bond rates up to 17% in the aftermath of the OPEC cartel and Vietnam War inflation.
Our profs, who also taught monetary policy courses at the Universities of Kiel, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Michigan, Cal, explained their difficulty of holding the interest of Congressional sub committees, SEC, IRS, Fed and bankers when presenting papers and testimony about financial engineering.
What Modern Monetary Theory deniers see when confronted by Mnuchin's work product and CV that they express in adjectives, is, for me, a chance of a lifetime for Senators to examine on subsurface and hidden levels of understanding using nouns and verbs.
Senate Finance Committees might not have another chance like this in their lifetimes.
1
I am enthralled and exasperated by the appearance of widespread corruption about to emerge.
The overwhelming strategy of Republicans is not to "Privatize", but to "Profitize" the major Federal programs to enrich the rich and the corporations.
This nation will be one stock market crash away from massive death and anarchy.
The overwhelming strategy of Republicans is not to "Privatize", but to "Profitize" the major Federal programs to enrich the rich and the corporations.
This nation will be one stock market crash away from massive death and anarchy.
7
As for the other, I signed up for Donald Trump's site diet plan, "Lose 70 lbs. in 7 hours" in which local artisianal bugs are served for dinner and lunch. Problem is: I found out I really like earthworms and kept over eating and found I liked them. So the "Insect Diet" may not be Trump's most lucrative business.
1
Unintentional oversights and misunderstanding of the questionnaire while acting as a Tax Coyote for others- sounds well qualified to Mr. Hatch for some partisan reason.
6
Concealing $1 million in artwork that his kids own seems a bit of a smoking gun at his expertise in deception--and failing to report $25 mill in real estate in Mexico, $95 mill in NY does not seem a misunderstanding: loopholes seem to have been long more important than laws to Mnuchin.
7
100 million here, a hundred million there. It's so hard to keep track of all the places to hide money. Mnuchin is the poster boy for the anger of the masses.
7
WoW, simply amazing. I have forgotten few dollars left in pant pockets and delighted to find them next time I wore the same pant, poor me. People can forget $100 million here and $100 million there!! I am sure he is very happy to be reminded.
My tax disclosures run into may be 10 pages; 5000 pages and he still misses some investments. Rich guys are having tough disclosures due to IRS complicated regulations, yes we should simplify them.
We Americans are taken for a ride by many of these guys and we deserve it for sure.
My tax disclosures run into may be 10 pages; 5000 pages and he still misses some investments. Rich guys are having tough disclosures due to IRS complicated regulations, yes we should simplify them.
We Americans are taken for a ride by many of these guys and we deserve it for sure.
5
It seems there is an assumption that the role of Treasury Secretary is to be an effective federal investment banker. It isn't. The Treasury is more a public guardian role and accountant function. It is explicitly tied to the maintenance of credit quality and dollar sovereignty. With 20 Trillion dollars in national debt, any nominee fiduciary responsibility is linked directly to a balanced budget, and the generation of a surplus. The current nominee and larger presumptive administration have made no such stated objective.
6
"If the confirmation process focused mainly on the question of a nominee’s qualifications, there would be little, if any, opposition to Mr. Mnuchin’s nomination.” --Orrin Hatch
The confirmation process should go well beyond that kind of narrow, ethics-free focus. If the notion is to check morality at the door, then why not tap Bernard Madoff for the job? Or, really--why even bother with the theater of a confirmation process at all?
The confirmation process should go well beyond that kind of narrow, ethics-free focus. If the notion is to check morality at the door, then why not tap Bernard Madoff for the job? Or, really--why even bother with the theater of a confirmation process at all?
7
The civil servants in all of these departments, that have to work for these billionaires, should use every bureaucratic trick in the book to sabotage this agenda.
Then when called to account, they can say "it's complicated."
Then when called to account, they can say "it's complicated."
11
$100 million may have just have been a rounding error for him.
But for all of those from whom he got the $100 million, it may have been their entire life savings.
But for all of those from whom he got the $100 million, it may have been their entire life savings.
9
The paperwork probably is hideously complicated - so are his investments, but he somehow manages to claim the profits and earnings from them - with the a little help from his friends.
He has a hideous amount of money to hire an obscene number of CPA's and other professionals to do this for him - working along with the regular staff that works for him day to day to figure this out - or - he could gasp - delay his hearings for a little while until they were sure they did not overlook minor things like $100,000,000 in real estate assets or eight directorships of hedge funds or management posts in other investment funds that he omitted by "misunderstanding of the questionnaire or by unintentional oversight"
- great qualifications for the Secretary of the Treasury - overseeing others omissions and oversights.
Would that work with my tax returns? "I misunderstood the forms, it was unintentional, it's so complicated"?
Maybe I could run the IRS. I have the same qualifications. Just not the same connections.
He has a hideous amount of money to hire an obscene number of CPA's and other professionals to do this for him - working along with the regular staff that works for him day to day to figure this out - or - he could gasp - delay his hearings for a little while until they were sure they did not overlook minor things like $100,000,000 in real estate assets or eight directorships of hedge funds or management posts in other investment funds that he omitted by "misunderstanding of the questionnaire or by unintentional oversight"
- great qualifications for the Secretary of the Treasury - overseeing others omissions and oversights.
Would that work with my tax returns? "I misunderstood the forms, it was unintentional, it's so complicated"?
Maybe I could run the IRS. I have the same qualifications. Just not the same connections.
115
Why do I distrust thee? Let me count the ways ...
16
Aaah whats a 100M when you/re a billionaire. Chump change!
10
Trump change . . . . As in Change You Can Believe In . . . . Whosever slogan that was, it seems so long ago and there were so many of them.
1
The fox guarding the chicken coop! A fox is a fox, does'nt forget he is a fox. every action is deliberate and intentional. I'm sure even Bill Gates will not forget 100 million!
6
Any question asked. Answer: "I will be happy to sit down with your office and discuss that." How about now? Isn't this what this hearing is SUPPOSE to be about?
11
Looks like Trump put the alligators to drain the swamp.
8
Was that an iceberg we just struck, Captain Trump?
10
Oh please everyone - who doesn't have a few extra mattresses stuffed with millions lying around in the basement? Why do you think there are so many mattress stores in this country? To hide money, of course.
Besides, Mnuchin did not FORGET to mention the 100 million, he just failed to disclose it. What he DID forget to mention was his role as a director of an investment fund. That actually is worse in my book because he is/was in control of the fund and all that money. Scary dude no matter how you slice it.
13
$100M, rounding error.
8
I guess $100 million is just trump-change to him. Or, maybe just maybe he was trying to hide something?
When a swamp smells like a swamp, it likely is.
When a swamp smells like a swamp, it likely is.
10
Hey Stevie!, can we ALL hide(I mean save) our money in the Cays??
10
When you are up to your a.. in alligators it is difficult to remember that your job was to DRAIN the swamp. Somehow this sees like AN ADDITION.
10
What $100 million? Oh THAT $100 million?
Isn't it a crime to swear falsely on a government document?
Isn't it a crime to swear falsely on a government document?
13
Are these the "experts" we were told about? Guess he will hire other "experts" to do his job...
5
Who better to guard the chicken coop than the fox? He knows every trick for how to get in.
;o)
;o)
12
Of course, he didn't list all his assets. Naturally, he just "forgot" about those ones in the Caymen Islands. Just forgot.
19
Forms are too complicated? Really???? For the Secretary of the Treasury? Definitely unqualified for the job!!!!
19
You won't see any of this on Fox.
14
When I lie in bed at night worrying how our family will pay for our daughter-in- law's cancer meds after the ACA is gutted, I wonder who can possible afford to pay $150,000 per year over the course of a lifetime? I think I just got my answer...Mr. Mnuchin...
24
Come on, who hasn't forgotten about a million here and a million there....
6
Won't make a bit of difference... All the false outrage over Obama, Clinton, any democrat, but when one of their own slips up...? Meh.
11
Trump supporters, is this what you voted for? How does this nominee and the others possibly "make America great again"? These are people who don't give a damn about you and flaunt it. Yet, you apparently think that Trump and his cabinet choices will do right by the country. Shame on you.
11
They like Trump because he's made a big success with their juvenile MO.
2
Well, they filled the first "Trump Lie Train" quite quickly, didn't they? Do you suppose that there may be more "good ole boys" waiting in line for one of the next "LIE TRAINS". I do wonder "are there any honest, adult voters" in the GOP.......surely we have not used them all up so fast......
1
You know, he could have avoided this whole problem by gifting the $100M to me.
5
This conman doesn't disclose a mer 100 million - what are the Dems so upset about? Senator Roberts told them to take a valium. They will do NOTHING about this. NOTHING.
My husband has been right all along. Trump wanted to win to loot the Treasury for himself and some other wealthy billionaires. This Mnuchin is a sociopath, with what he did to people He should be in jail, not at the Treasury. God help us.
My husband has been right all along. Trump wanted to win to loot the Treasury for himself and some other wealthy billionaires. This Mnuchin is a sociopath, with what he did to people He should be in jail, not at the Treasury. God help us.
15
I hope you don't really expect help from God with this. These presumptuous fools believe they are God's Own Pets.
3
Aw, this is just chump change! Don't you hate it when the billionaires are grilled by the "little people" like this? How embarrassing.
9
Well, Obama didn't reveal any of the things that he actually believed in and lied so that Trump America would vote for him. When are you going to look at that?
2
huh?
2
And what about Drumphs TAX RETURNS, when will he disclose what he is hiding?
21
Probably a week from never. Because everyone in this country is scared to confront the Twitter Hog. This is the future of this country in the hands of a totally delusional and destructive person. When are we going to say enough is enough?
3
"Gotcha!' says Trump. He will never voluntarily disclose his tax returns.
3
Mnuchin submits a revised and amended document before his hearing started. OK. Geightner realizes he did not pay all of his fair share of taxes in 2009 so he paid his back taxes and was confirmed. No big deal.
Chuck Schumer said Mnuchin failed to disclose his Cayman Island holdings. Schumer is obviously lying because the holdings were disclosed in the amended disclosure.
The fact that Schumer lied is no big deal, he lies all of the time. The question becomes is this fake news because the NYT knowingly reported Schumer's lie without identifying it as such?
And how in heavens name can you call yourself a serious newspaper when you quote a hack PAC like American Bridge in an alledged serious news article? That is lower than anything Breitbart has ever done!
Chuck Schumer said Mnuchin failed to disclose his Cayman Island holdings. Schumer is obviously lying because the holdings were disclosed in the amended disclosure.
The fact that Schumer lied is no big deal, he lies all of the time. The question becomes is this fake news because the NYT knowingly reported Schumer's lie without identifying it as such?
And how in heavens name can you call yourself a serious newspaper when you quote a hack PAC like American Bridge in an alledged serious news article? That is lower than anything Breitbart has ever done!
2
As far as I'm concerned, the story isn't whether/when who submitted which form or "forgot" to disclose what to whom when and was found out and "corrected" his "mistake".
The real story is that Trump's pick for Treasury is a Goldman Sachs banker who made 100s of Millions. The rich for the rich. That's the story, not that it's a surprise. It's to be expected.
That this guy appears to be a tax dodging liar is just icing on the cake.
The real story is that Trump's pick for Treasury is a Goldman Sachs banker who made 100s of Millions. The rich for the rich. That's the story, not that it's a surprise. It's to be expected.
That this guy appears to be a tax dodging liar is just icing on the cake.
3
Everyone thinking that Trump supporters will get with the program and get smart to the plutocratic infestation of liars and cheats that their Man has brought with him has another thing coming. NOTHING will get the Trumpinestas to forsake their savior because they voted for an AUTHORATARIAN. His methods and his henchmen's methods are IRRELEVANT. They want Il Duce wrapped up in an American flag. The Trump supporters showed poor judgement to put it nicely. Don't expect them to reflect and change.
24 hours until the Nightmare begins.
24 hours until the Nightmare begins.
7
This nightmare began on election night and will continue for the indefinite future...and the future at this point is looking very indefinite indeed. When the Rs decide to deep six Agent Orange, their fair-haired boy, Pence is waiting in the wings like an eminence gris.
3
Sounds like the old DOS error message... "Abort, Retry, Fail".
2
Sorry. Did not know you wanted me to include pocket change.
6
Forty five year's ago, David Halberstam wrote "The Best and the Brightest."
3
Steve Mnuchin - and those 'financiers' like him - are THE reason our economy is so inequitable. The Financialization of America is threatening our democracy. Please call your Senators and ask them to publicize his shameful testimony - I just did.
16
Is this the guy that was forclosing on widows? They took a woman's house because of a 27¢ error.
And this bag of grease wanted to keep $100M in hiding because the disclosure form was too difficult for him to understand? He wants to be head of the United States Treasury and he can't figure out how to fill in a financial disclosure form?
It just gets better and better.
And this bag of grease wanted to keep $100M in hiding because the disclosure form was too difficult for him to understand? He wants to be head of the United States Treasury and he can't figure out how to fill in a financial disclosure form?
It just gets better and better.
14
With apologies to the "bag of grease".
I remember learning about the Robber Baron Era when I was in high school, being aghast at what was taking place back then, and feeling grateful at the same time that I didn't live in such an era. Hah!
13
Did Hillary ever release transcriptions of her million dollar speeches to Goldman Sachs. why is good for the goose is good for the gander.
1
Is she still running for president? Must have missed something. She did release her tax returns, unlike Trump.
1
Is that all you've got? This is your only argument for ushering in the most unethical and corrupt administration in history by a wide margin? Guess Trump will have to shoot someone.
3
Why not just ask one of the upteen Goldman Sachs "alumni" el Trumpo wants to put in his cabinet? They were probably in the front row when she gave the speeches! A connection to G-S was sinister when it involved Hillary, but now it's a sterling qualification. Oh right - it's ok if you're a Republican. Got it.
4
DT was not properly vetted so why would any of his appointees feel obligated to do so?
8
LOL. 100 Million. I am sure he wanted to do only good things with it. Or pay back to the people he cheated out of money after the 2008 crisis.
3
One hundred million of dollars....!
These are peanuts for the plutocrats who are going to govern ou country for the next four years.
These are peanuts for the plutocrats who are going to govern ou country for the next four years.
3
So, this is an incredibly bright guy and he found the forms too complicated to "inadvertently" forgot 95 MILLION dollars? How is he supposed to manage a Federal agency? Hard to believe.
9
...a million here, a million there,
you got it.
- Tony Montana
you got it.
- Tony Montana
2
It's Moochin', not Mnuchin.
8
trump and his nominees don't disclose everything to the american public. that's a shock. shocked, I tell you.
10
Just another reason to wear a black armband tomorrow.
8
I, personally, would love to see the Democrats stage a sit in or shut down--EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE. to protest this disgusting excuse for an administration.
3
They don't even believe Democrats are Americans.
1
Whoopsee!
1
Lol, y'all voted against Hillary because she gave a speech on Wall St.
7
Just Mnuchin minutiae, nothing to Tweet home about.
3
Drain the swamp? Duh
1
The hearings show the reality of what Republicans look like, who they fight for, what they believe in, their sincerity to help the people of America, their competence, their ethics, their principles, their belief in being above reality and ethics, how well they understand the problems faced by America... when they are deprived of their SINGLE talking point: what about Hillary Clinton and her emails?
I ask all of you Republicans: what about America?
I ask all of you Republicans: what about America?
8
Disingenuous to think he left these out on purpose. His team of lawyers were responsible and left it out and they will be putting it in for all to see. Unlike Little Timmy Geitner, this guy doesn't use TurboTax for his filings. He is far more successful. And, by the way, he is a hollywood democrat. His answers and push back to the Democrats Dog and Pony show are refreshing.
2
Of COURSE it wasn't disclosed. Stay vigilant, journalists! Thank you.
6
This is the kind of thing hat happens when you choose candidates as you would contestants on a reality show: Oh America: you embarked on a dangerous experiment. I hope it doesn't destroy you.
2
I hope it does.
1
Rounding error. Don't worry about it.
4
This guy has so much money and assets he can't even keep track of them.
The arrogance that he shows is incredible. Didn't he think that he'd be scrutinized considering his record?
Just say no.
5
$100M? Chump change! Sorry.
It should be "trump" change. Apologies.
Just what you'd expect from TeamTrump!
1
Would it be possible for the NYT to publish this very "complicated" form?
3
How incredibly sad it is that the majority of voters for Trump thought he was going to "drain the swamp." Trump and cohorts and phony billionaire cabinet picks ARE the swamp!
8
Swamp Draining Halted After $100M Clogs Drain
16
Accounts in the Caymans, LOL. At least we know where the moneys going
4
A hundred million here, a hundred million there- pretty soon you're talking real money (thank you Everett Dirksen).
And who hasn't forgotten their holdings in the Cayman Islands?
These nominees should keep SNL writers very busy.
And who hasn't forgotten their holdings in the Cayman Islands?
These nominees should keep SNL writers very busy.
3
Mnuchin is part of the Goldman Sachs mafia. They break the financial rules with impunity. There will be no repercussions for his failure to disclose except a few news stories like this. Bada-bing, bada-boom!
9
I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. Anyone who knows the reference knows one way to solve the mess we're heading, quickly, toward.
1
For the average man, this is ridiculous! Forgetting $100 million?
2
Are we to believe that these forms are more complex than being Treasury Secretary of the United States?
7
one of the unfortunate aspects of all of this corruption that's filling the swamp that is this future administration is that drumpf followers will either never hear of it, because they either don't/can't read, or they get all of their news from the drumpf propaganda machine that's already in place (fox, brietbart, etc.). they're eager to believe that all other news is "fake." apparently, drumpf also plans to limit press access to his press briefings to members of the machine and selected cheerleaders.
I think ta-nehisi coates describes people like these best when he says, "they'd rather live white than free." that is the bottom line of their devotion to him.
I think ta-nehisi coates describes people like these best when he says, "they'd rather live white than free." that is the bottom line of their devotion to him.
7
It's like the Mexican drug cartels taking over Mexico.
10
More alarming than Mr. Mnuchin's lapses, is all the republicans who think it's OK.
9
If you get caught stealing a car, it is against the law whether you are stealing for yourself or not. Tax havens exploitation as a business plan is no different.
6
The difference is that tax havens are not illegal. What's illegal is not paying taxes, and there is no allegation that Mnuchin failed to pay any taxes.
Hey my fellow commenters, you are so up in arms about this nominee, as well as others that are on the docket to be in Trump's Cabinet. Come on now! Did you REALLY think he would choose people who were A. Ethical? B. Smart enough to read forms (and job descriptions)? C. Understanding of the difference between the private sector world and the federal government? Sure you (and me) are outraged by the out and out insanity of who these people are and the expectations for a presidential cabinet. But Trump thinks they're great! (and Putin, too, I'm sure.) Trump is in charge now and this is what we've got.
9
Oops. And some weasel words. But on the bright side, he's also one of the more competent sounding nominees.
4
What contempt these billionaires have for the rest of us and the rules that the vast majority of us live by. Should we be governed by people who believe that they are above the law and who confuse patriotism with self interest? The Trumpocratic GOP says to the rest of us, just shut up and do as you are told. It is about time that the plutocrats take advantage of the election of the kleptocrat in chief.
5
Nuts, I knew I forgot something, but not to foreclose on that old lady.
6
What is so much more appealing about $100 million dollars you hide from taxes that you don't spend versus $80 million dollars you don't spend but you have paid taxes on like the rest of us?
5
No amount of Febreze can hide the stench.
10
Another completely unqualified and clueless nominee, that's par for the phony, gold-plated, combed-over course. Way to drain the swamp... or you know, put a stick of dynamite in the cesspool underneath it.
3
Hey, who among us hasn't misplaced a wallet from time to time.
1
The very same New York Times that got caught "Red Handed" cheating for the Clinton campaign and trying to influence an election is playing "Whack-a'Mole" with the Republican cabinet picks. No surprise here.
How so, please provide your facts? That said you are comparing apples to oranges.
So already we know he's a liar. How precisely do you "forget" $100 million in assets or that he has a set up in the Cayman Islands -- tax avoidance capital for the rich. The clown show continues and we are the laughing stock of the world.
9
Why hasn't this swamp creature, or rather parasite, withdrawn his nomination? He clearly attempted to hide material and damning information. Perhaps the better question is why hasn't the new swamp-keeper, Trump, withdrawn it?
8
Another nail in our coffin.
9
In Mr. Mnuchin's defense, $100 million is just pocket change. No harm, no foul.
1
In science we have to fill out much more complicated sets of forms for grants. I concerned by Mnuchin's ethics and/or ability to read and fill out forms.
11
Being qualified requires both that you have "the right stuff" AND don't have "the wrong stuff." Even if Hatch is correct about the first requirement, Mnuchin fails miserably on the second. People who voted for Trump on his "drain the swamp" message and appeal to the "workin' man" take note. You have been had.
8
The really horrifying thing about this jerk is the way he coldly threw hard working people out of their homes. How does any Republican defend this?
6
Because they are Republicans! They are the swamp and no one has any intention of draining it. The rest of us are just chumps.
Let's concede for a moment that Mr. Mnuchin's disclosure requirements were missed in error. Does that not hint that he may be unqualified for the far greater complexities of the US Treasury? If not in error, it hints at something else entirely.
All righty, then. The swamp is being drained dry as a bone.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
All righty, then. The swamp is being drained dry as a bone.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
8
This even assumes that he filled out the forms himself. Puh-lease - he has people do it for him and those people, paid very handsomely by Mnuchin, know exactly what to put on the form and what to leave out. I'm sure there's a lot more he's hiding - maybe a few dollars in Switzerland?
6
He still has to review them even if someone else filled it out
1
The knives are out.
1
And so they should be.
4
The Perp Walks may begin a bit earlier this year. Kind of like an early spring gift.
6
The swamp is getting deeper by the hour.
7
It's like watching a scary "Twilight Zone" episode. Sure wish I could change the channel!
2
The dishonesty begins at the word "go". Does anyone doubt that trump and his cabinet are spending most of their time trying to figure out how to loot the U.S. Treasury without collapsing the economy...like George W. Bush (and Dick Cheney) did?
3
Mnuchin:forgets $100M asset in Cayman Island account
DeVos: has 250 companies registered to one Michigan address
Price: buys preferred stocks in Australian medcompany one week before he submits legislation regulating company's product
Trump: this is great..they are just like me. They get away with whatever they can. Crooks with connections.
DeVos: has 250 companies registered to one Michigan address
Price: buys preferred stocks in Australian medcompany one week before he submits legislation regulating company's product
Trump: this is great..they are just like me. They get away with whatever they can. Crooks with connections.
12
Parliamentarians in Canberra, Bern, Ottawa, Berlin & London
would point out that those in Congress, are the hires of the People who put them there, & clearly the People must have the same
Health Care that they have given themselves!
Famously, VP Cheney's $29,000,000 health care bill was paid for by the People.
would point out that those in Congress, are the hires of the People who put them there, & clearly the People must have the same
Health Care that they have given themselves!
Famously, VP Cheney's $29,000,000 health care bill was paid for by the People.
6
i'd buy a used car from perry and devos, but wouldnt come near price or mnuchin. they ooze slime.
3
One of the most despicable characters in our nations history. He was the foreclosure king. Scandalous, yet welcome, for the American people deserve him....though African Americans definitely do not deserve Sessions.
4
Are we really surprised?
3
Keep digging. There's bound to be more goods on the entire Trump cabinet, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten this far.
And it's time to ask for Trump's income taxes (again!) while you're at it...
And it's time to ask for Trump's income taxes (again!) while you're at it...
9
Well, of course he didn't. I mean, it was just down under the sofa cushions. Who looks there?
3
I miss Bernie. I did vote for HRC, against Trump. I cannot believe all of this is really happening.
6
Don't know how you can't believe all this happening, it's par for the course.
1
Ethics are important! At your place of employment there is probably something like:
"All employees of the Company are responsible for complying with this Code and may face disciplinary action even termination for ethics violations.
Donald's cabinet selections do not meet the minimum ethical standards for the posts they seek.
Donald's cabinet choices already have ethics violations that would get the fired from their own companies.
Martha Steward went to jail for less than these guys and gals have done.
"All employees of the Company are responsible for complying with this Code and may face disciplinary action even termination for ethics violations.
Donald's cabinet selections do not meet the minimum ethical standards for the posts they seek.
Donald's cabinet choices already have ethics violations that would get the fired from their own companies.
Martha Steward went to jail for less than these guys and gals have done.
9
Mnuchen explains away his disclosure lapses as "a simple mistake made amid a mountain of bureaucracy" and yet presents himself as qualified to head the Treasury Department -- a massive bureaucracy with almost 120,000 employees, which includes the IRS. Nonsense! $95 million worth of real estate and $15 million in real estate holdings in Mexico, as well as, several management posts in various investment funds are pretty impossible to overlook or forget. His last minute revelations likely reflect his fears that he wouldn't be able to get away with a lack of transparency to the extent that Trump has. The odor of mendacity is in the air.
13
I'll have to check out the WSJ to see what the deal is on this.
3
careful, you might actually get some truth; for whatever reason, Murdoch hasn't clamped down on that publication's occasional dissent from the Murdoch/republican "whitewash and spin zone."
2
That's the plan. Editorials and oped are opinionated as to be expected (though no more so and less strident than here) but news is far more objective and neutral.
If he did understand the questionnaire how is he going to understand running Treasury. From one swamp to another!
6
Yeah I can sympathize. I frequently forget 100 million in assets whenever I apply for a new job. The question is....How many other assets does this Mnuchin guy have that 100 million just slipped his mind? I just have to laugh and shake my head.
7
Tax dodging: fine. Private email servers, not so much…
14
@mike
That's what the people who voted for Trump thought....
But they'll change their minds when the mines don't open.
And the jobs don't come back
And they lose their houses.
And their health insurance no longer covers their pre-existing medical conditions.
And their sons & daughters are shipped off to some war somewhere because of some misplaced 3am tweet.
Just wait.
That's what the people who voted for Trump thought....
But they'll change their minds when the mines don't open.
And the jobs don't come back
And they lose their houses.
And their health insurance no longer covers their pre-existing medical conditions.
And their sons & daughters are shipped off to some war somewhere because of some misplaced 3am tweet.
Just wait.
1
And still: 44 percent of Americans think Trumps transition is "good".
The NYT wrote "only 44 percent".
Only? In an educated and civilized 21st century country it should be 0,44 percent.
The NYT wrote "only 44 percent".
Only? In an educated and civilized 21st century country it should be 0,44 percent.
8
That's probably nothing compared to the loose change under his sofa cushions at home. Good luck trying to find them all . . . homes, I mean, not just sofas.
5
I find my yearly 1040 complicated. Might I just forget it?
7
So many islands, so many accounts. It's hard keeping track and perfectly understandable.
13
What's next? The dog ate my disclosure forms.
13
Filth from the garbage dump--like every Republican.
8
Oh brother. This guy personifies extreme capitalism which is killing the American dream except for families whose children own million dollar art collections. American greed! What the next Treasury Secretary is all about. Sad.
6
Every single one of Our Con Man in Chief's
appointments will be confirmed.
No consequences.
At this point given the equal power of the Executive
Legislative and Judicial branches our only hope
of any control of this cabal is litigation in the Federal
courts.
A fitting strategy for a man who loves litigation.
appointments will be confirmed.
No consequences.
At this point given the equal power of the Executive
Legislative and Judicial branches our only hope
of any control of this cabal is litigation in the Federal
courts.
A fitting strategy for a man who loves litigation.
4
These hearings are a farce. It seems that the Republicans have no shame, no sense of civic duty (that one would think inherent to the position in of Congress). Thus, they will not oppose any of these candidates, no matter how unqualified or unethical. The Democrats will bring this to public light, but the public doesn't seem to matter anymore - those who were fooled into thinking that Trump would advocate for their interests will be unswayed; those who knew what he is and consciously voted for him are in the same category as the GOP - they don't care. Welcome to the future of our Republic, for make no mistake, now that we're down the path, this party will design the system so as never to lose power again.
9
A process that leads to what will seem to have been the inevitable approval of any Trump nominee, no matter how ethically challenged, no matter how unqualified for the position, no matter how ignorant is tantamount to having no process at all.
Are there no ethical or qualification boundaries than cannot be crossed? If not, and if these profoundly unqualified and inappropriate candidates are approved, we might as well stop pretending that the process has any purpose beyond publicity and simply anoint whatever horror this president sends up.
Are there no ethical or qualification boundaries than cannot be crossed? If not, and if these profoundly unqualified and inappropriate candidates are approved, we might as well stop pretending that the process has any purpose beyond publicity and simply anoint whatever horror this president sends up.
4
This looks like the Trump game plan:
1. Strip all regulations and safeguards related to the financial system and the environment.
2. Gut all social programs.
3. Give big tax cuts to the wealthiest.
4. Explode the deficit.
5. Give the keys to the treasury to a gang of corrupt billionaires and simpleton ideologues.
5. Ignore all norms related to ethics and simple decency.
6. As distractions from the activities above, tweet insults, fake news, lies, and threats.
Thank you, Trump voters. You have done more to damage our democracy than anyone in the past 250 years.
1. Strip all regulations and safeguards related to the financial system and the environment.
2. Gut all social programs.
3. Give big tax cuts to the wealthiest.
4. Explode the deficit.
5. Give the keys to the treasury to a gang of corrupt billionaires and simpleton ideologues.
5. Ignore all norms related to ethics and simple decency.
6. As distractions from the activities above, tweet insults, fake news, lies, and threats.
Thank you, Trump voters. You have done more to damage our democracy than anyone in the past 250 years.
15
We are not a democracy. We have been under corporate rule for years.
5
Come on people. You can't really expect a major policy maker to get all the details right, can you? A hundred million dollars worth of real estate here, a directorship in an offshore tax scam there, what's the big deal? He just wants to make his holdings great again.
2
Last week Meryl Street made a plea that we should treat all people with compassion. Result: she was shouted down as an out of touch Yale educated rich liberal elite.
And who did those same people chose to elect into office? This guy.
Yale undergraduate education (but that makes him "qualified" right?)
Member of exclusive society"Skull and Bones" (that means: you are not welcome)
Walks into a job at Goldman Sachs (where his father worked and snuck him into the club).
He works there for 17 years, leaves with a boatload of money. (i.e. $58M)
Runs a hedge fund.
Then gets into Hollywood financing and production.
He has donated over $120,000 to super PACs for both sides of politics.
He has no formal training as an economist (let's be 100% totally clear that working at Goldman Sachs is not an education in economics).
His net worth is estimated to be $400M of which he just "forgot" to declare about $100M - and it just happened to be the stuff that was most questionable.
So please, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER tell me you have decided to vote for Trump as a protest against the out of touch liberal elites. You have put in charge people who ran on the inside track their entire lives, and who disdain the very people who voted them into power. It would only take 5 minutes of hearing their true opinion of the "red state voters" to see how much they despise the people who are gathering to cheer for this inauguration.
And who did those same people chose to elect into office? This guy.
Yale undergraduate education (but that makes him "qualified" right?)
Member of exclusive society"Skull and Bones" (that means: you are not welcome)
Walks into a job at Goldman Sachs (where his father worked and snuck him into the club).
He works there for 17 years, leaves with a boatload of money. (i.e. $58M)
Runs a hedge fund.
Then gets into Hollywood financing and production.
He has donated over $120,000 to super PACs for both sides of politics.
He has no formal training as an economist (let's be 100% totally clear that working at Goldman Sachs is not an education in economics).
His net worth is estimated to be $400M of which he just "forgot" to declare about $100M - and it just happened to be the stuff that was most questionable.
So please, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER tell me you have decided to vote for Trump as a protest against the out of touch liberal elites. You have put in charge people who ran on the inside track their entire lives, and who disdain the very people who voted them into power. It would only take 5 minutes of hearing their true opinion of the "red state voters" to see how much they despise the people who are gathering to cheer for this inauguration.
6
Most corrupt and incompetent administration I've ever seen.
8
Mnuchin was known as the king of foreclosures, especially despicably by luring homeowners into "reverse mortgages", getting them to miss a payment to get a "better rate", then foreclosing.
He notoriously once foreclosed for a 27 cent underpayment! He's totally dishonest and reprehensible.
Another of the draft dodger in chief's unqualified "selections".
This is sickening.
He notoriously once foreclosed for a 27 cent underpayment! He's totally dishonest and reprehensible.
Another of the draft dodger in chief's unqualified "selections".
This is sickening.
6
So I get how someone can be so rich or on so many boards that they don't remember all of it. But isn't that what accountants and lawyers are for? If he's not trying to be dishonest, then he's pretty incompetent for a titan of finance.
2
It is fair to state that an individual's history is generally a good indication as to how that individual will conduct himself going forward. That, therefore, speaks volumes of what can be expected of Mr. Mnuchin and his fellow nominees.
4
Compared to the President elect he is practically naked. It was probably a rounding error.
2
This new lot is going to make the outgoing lot look perfect. Be careful what we wish for is so true.
4
It has become quite clear that minimal or no vetting was done by the Trump team because it was recognized by them that complaisant Republicans would do nothing to prevent the confirmation of any of the nominees, despite exposure of insider trading, failure to pay taxes, and, heaven forbid, demonstration of complete lack of competence for the job in question.
This will continue to be the Trump administration's playbook going forward. Stonewall and otherwise ignore questioning of ANYTHING they say or do, because House and Senate Republicans will comply. Are an Enabling Act and Alien & Sedition Acts forthcoming?
Btw, Countdown Alert! BHO has only 21 ours left to take the guns away from "law-abiding" Amurricans.
This will continue to be the Trump administration's playbook going forward. Stonewall and otherwise ignore questioning of ANYTHING they say or do, because House and Senate Republicans will comply. Are an Enabling Act and Alien & Sedition Acts forthcoming?
Btw, Countdown Alert! BHO has only 21 ours left to take the guns away from "law-abiding" Amurricans.
3
Let's be honest: The GOP, Trump, and all of his nominees couldn't care less about conflicts of interest or ethics.
They are nominated precisely because they mirror Trump and his often-questionable practices. They are there because he likes billionaires much more than the working-class suckers who voted for him.
They are nominated precisely because they mirror Trump and his often-questionable practices. They are there because he likes billionaires much more than the working-class suckers who voted for him.
8
Nope - djt said they were nominated because of their yuge iq's
1
And here I thought that it was Hillary that was tied to the bankers.
11
Most of them are. Chuckie boy being another example.
The American people do not need nor want a Goldman Saks bankster in charge of the U.S. Treasury. Hiding assets in the Cayman Islands for rich people and not disclosing a hundred million dollars of his own personal assets should sink this "Munchkin" nomination. Any U.S. Senators with any conscience or integrity should vote no on him. Goldman Saks has received billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer bailouts and no one has gone to prison for all their cheating, swindling, thieving, etc. that led to the taxpayer rescue. Donald Trump bitterly criticized this Wall Street money laundering firm during the presidential campaign but now wants to appoint its henchmen to high government posts. No thank you sir! A special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate Goldman Saks and all its employees including Steven Mnuchin along with all the other big financial firms who caused the 2008 near economic meltdown of the American economy and all guilty parties should be prosecuted, sent to jail and their stolen fortunes confiscated and given to the investors and taxpayers they cheated and stole from. No exceptions! Let's have some real justice for a change!
5
$100,000,000 is a drop in the swamp compared to Deadbeat Donald's $918,000,000 tax avoidance.
6
Now really, how can this guy possibly load $100,000,000 into a forgotten bank account without forclosing on every little old lady that owes him 27 cents?
6
Sorry if this repeats any other comment --
How about if all of us in distress about these appointments run to their windows and scream that "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to to take this anymore!" as Mr. t is sworn in?" And keep after elected officials to make certain we support the decent ones, but pressure the rest unrelentingly.
How about if all of us in distress about these appointments run to their windows and scream that "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to to take this anymore!" as Mr. t is sworn in?" And keep after elected officials to make certain we support the decent ones, but pressure the rest unrelentingly.
3
So if this person made an 'honest' $100 million dollar error in telling how much money he has, and, oh yes, this board position that I hold on an island that exists primarily as a tax shelter, what else is he 'honestly' forgetting to tell us about?
This is not a person who should hold a cabinet position, and based on his 'honesty', maybe should be investigated further for his other holdings.
Drain the swamp indeed!
This is not a person who should hold a cabinet position, and based on his 'honesty', maybe should be investigated further for his other holdings.
Drain the swamp indeed!
5
A venture capitalist friend's house cleaners complained that they kept finding $100 bills as litter in various corners and between cushions, etc.
2
The Trump cabinet picks are easily the most dreadful mix of completely unqualified individuals, intellectually, professionally, morally, for any presidential cabinet during more my 60 plus years.
9
Mnuchin: "I assure you that these forms were very complicated"
Please report the exact titles of these forms, so readers can evaluate Mnuchin’s claim for themselves. Better yet, provide links to the forms themselves. From the article, I have no idea what agency or branch of government publishes the forms.
Please report the exact titles of these forms, so readers can evaluate Mnuchin’s claim for themselves. Better yet, provide links to the forms themselves. From the article, I have no idea what agency or branch of government publishes the forms.
2
Self interest, self interest, self interest business as usual under Trump. And there is no one to stop this. The Republicans long ago have seceded their moral compass for the love of power.
Trump is an autocrat thru and thru and who is there to stop him?
Trump is an autocrat thru and thru and who is there to stop him?
5
Sometimes I think the whole Trump election is just an elaborate business venture. I can imagine sometime in last 10 years all the uber rich CEOs meeting in a secret location and discussing how the government and it's pesky regulations were impeding their business goals. and what better way to stop all those regulations in their tracks than to become the govt themselves? Trump is just the actor filled in to play the president role. The true owners of this government are the rich who paid for it getting elected. Truly a government by the rich for the rich
4
I have a feeling that being Treasury secretary is also "quite complicated." Probably more complex than filling out a form.
2
Obfuscation, lies, unethical behavior and/or downright fraud constitute the hallmark of this nominee, his heritage. That is where we begin tomorrow with both him and Representative Price who will referee the dissolution of the Affordable Care Act with his hallmark open dealings with medical corporations in which he actively participated and from which he materially gained in arrogant defiance of the Stock Act and Congressional ethics rules. Mnuchin will direct a Treasury from which he bilked billions in cooperation with his minions. Hope? Not from me.
Again, solely on principle, Trump is not my President until he earns it.
He set the tone long ago.
Again, solely on principle, Trump is not my President until he earns it.
He set the tone long ago.
5
All of Trumps nominees (like him) are con men & women who will obfuscate the facts and none can be trusted to run a taco stand (no disrespect to the fine taco vendors out there).
The Democrats must stand up and call these individuals for what they are and fight their nominations.
The Democrats must stand up and call these individuals for what they are and fight their nominations.
5
So he either can't read or fill in the disclosure forms. And he thinks he's qualified to run an agency that lives and breathes paperwork?
4
Even more dreadful is the fact that Mr. Trump's supporters will see Absolutely Nothing wrong with this and will even choose to Not To See this as a Sign/Warning of bad things to come.
When the Nominee for the person in-charge of the Entire Monetary System in the country lies in Front of Congress about the very thing that has put him the position that he's applying for.
When the Nominee for the person in-charge of the Entire Monetary System in the country lies in Front of Congress about the very thing that has put him the position that he's applying for.
4
I remember when this would have mattered. When it would have been in the headlines for days. But now that his cabinet picks have a collective 250 or so formerly nomination-ending problems, it seems like we're just going to go ahead and let all roll under the bridge.
I credit Trump with one stroke of genius: do one bad thing, pay the price. Do a thousand bad things, it all goes away.
I credit Trump with one stroke of genius: do one bad thing, pay the price. Do a thousand bad things, it all goes away.
6
Once again we will get to see if the Congressional Republicans adhere to one of the founding principles of the Constitution, namely that of equal branches of government jealously guarding their prerogatives and power, and serving as a check on the other branches.
In this case, a would-be official of the Executive Branch failed to disclose material facts to the Legislative Branch in carrying out its "advice and consent" power of the Constitution. It was willful, unless someone can casually overlook $100 million.
This is a no-brainer for a Congress that is operating in good faith, on behalf of the People, the country and its mission: Slap down the nominee and send a clear signal to the Executive branch that this won't be tolerated.
Either that, or they will vote Mnuchin to appeaseTrump in the hopes that Trump will in turn cooperate with the Republican prime directive of shilling for the 1%.
My money -- and it is a whole lot less than $100M -- is on the latter.
In this case, a would-be official of the Executive Branch failed to disclose material facts to the Legislative Branch in carrying out its "advice and consent" power of the Constitution. It was willful, unless someone can casually overlook $100 million.
This is a no-brainer for a Congress that is operating in good faith, on behalf of the People, the country and its mission: Slap down the nominee and send a clear signal to the Executive branch that this won't be tolerated.
Either that, or they will vote Mnuchin to appeaseTrump in the hopes that Trump will in turn cooperate with the Republican prime directive of shilling for the 1%.
My money -- and it is a whole lot less than $100M -- is on the latter.
4
Perhaps Mnuchin imagines that running the U.S. Treasury will be less complicated than filling out some disclosure forms.
2
I often forget my millions of dollars worth of investments, especially when my assets are hidden in the Caymans, and particularly if I'm filling out my tax forms. Perfectly understandable. Next!
5
What's worse: his lies, or his calculation that he could get away with them? The rich are simply insatiable.
7
The Cayman Islands are a notorious tax haven for the wealthy in avoidance of taxation. Also known for their wide variety of lizards.
7
Corruption R U$
Trump-Pence-Price-Mnuchin-Pruitt-DeVos 2017
"We must take care of the richest first"
The Prosperity Gospel is our divine duty to the holy God Of Mammon.
Praise The Lucre
Trump-Pence-Price-Mnuchin-Pruitt-DeVos 2017
"We must take care of the richest first"
The Prosperity Gospel is our divine duty to the holy God Of Mammon.
Praise The Lucre
5
Yeah, but just think if HRC had been elected; she would have appointed one of her buddies from Goldman Sachs because they paid her those big speaking fees.
Man, we really dodged a bullet!
Man, we really dodged a bullet!
5
Doesn't Mnuchin's attested inability to understand the financial disclosure form undermine Hatch's claim that he's objectively qualified to be Treasury Secretary? I mean, maybe we should hire someone who understands a financial disclosure form to run the US treasury.
7
Why do we get a banker and not a trained economist in Treasury?
He's not even the best banker Goldman ever produced. Too bad that Trump chose Goldman alums but not the highest principals of the firm:
http://www.goldmansachs.com/who-we-are/business-standards/business-princ...
He's not even the best banker Goldman ever produced. Too bad that Trump chose Goldman alums but not the highest principals of the firm:
http://www.goldmansachs.com/who-we-are/business-standards/business-princ...
3
The horrific bottom line is that he'll still be confirmed. We can joke, rant and vent all we want but he and the other self-serving plutocrats, who care naught for America, its citizens or our planet, will be nominated. I'm still in shock that (a) we're witnessing the assembling of plunderers and destructive sociopaths to run our government and (b) Republicans and Trump voters still support them.
19
Is the so called "swamp" being drained into the Executive Branch cabinet?
5
How exactly is this Making America Great Again? Cayman Islands? Forgetting to disclose $100 million when you're going to be Treasury Secretary? This right up there with a President who thinks aggressive tax avoidance/evasion "makes [him] smart." These are a formula for a kleptocracy. To those who think Trump is really going to represent the interests of the common man, open your eyes. To Republican Senators prepared to bless this absurdity, grow a spine.
13
I'm still processing the DeVos mess. With Lieberman introducing her----while his law firm represents Trump. Of course, didn't read about it in the NYT. Hands off with Joe for some reason.
9
Most of these disclosures are annually required on one's IRS returns (foreign bank account, /property depreciation, etc. ). I should think Mr. Mnuchin has an accountant? with records? My goodness, this may mean he has been running afoul of the IRS.
10
Oversight or obfuscation?
Hardly matters.
To approve him at this point is giving him a license to steal.
Hardly matters.
To approve him at this point is giving him a license to steal.
5
Just an oversight. Yet these same clowns were quick to pounce on HIllary's honest oversights among tens of thousands of e-mails as evidence of brutal corruption. God help us from this band of Oligarchs.
7
Trump is our most recent Commander in Hypocrisy. He lies so frequently that he is no longer aware of what is truthful and what isn't. He lies about his wealth and refused to show us his tax returns. He lied about Obama's birthplace and later reversed himself. With a bold face, he tells us that no one respects women more than him while we listen to his tape with Billy Bush. Similarly, under Trump, all his cabinet picks appear to be playing the same game (with some minor exception such as Mattis): Tillerson, the prior CEO of ExxonMobil, is now acknowledging Climate Change; Perry, who vowed to abolish the EPA, now thinks EPA is a great agency, etc., etc.
Beware, Trump voters- you are the reason why this disaster is unfolding.
Beware, Trump voters- you are the reason why this disaster is unfolding.
8
"a co-op in New York City, a residence in Southampton, New York, a residence in Los Angeles, California, and $15 million in real estate holdings in Mexico,”
Yeah - I forget where all my houses are too. It happens.
Yeah - I forget where all my houses are too. It happens.
9
We will, over time, find out how minor Hillary Clinton's financial issues were. Or for that matter, we might find out how honest the outgoing President has been. You never know what good management and leadership is till you get a really bad (scandalous, deceitful; you name it) boss.
7
Republican formula for success in politics and business:
1. Deny your crime even though you are perfectly aware that you committed it.
2. Admit it eventually and blame it on ignorance, followed immediately by
3. Blaming everyone else for being "out to get you" and accusing them of acting out of jealousy.
1. Deny your crime even though you are perfectly aware that you committed it.
2. Admit it eventually and blame it on ignorance, followed immediately by
3. Blaming everyone else for being "out to get you" and accusing them of acting out of jealousy.
18
Well, it's worked so far.
3
I wished he had used some of that money to buy a vowel in his name.
18
Leisa....that is comic gold !
9
He called her "Crooked Hillary". So what's he going to call this personally picked cast of characters, "Trump's Chumps?" Hillary openly acknowledged earning $750,000, but this compadre of his forgot to mentions 10s of millions of dollars and a bunch of super expensive homes both here and abroad. And these well-heeled people are supposedly going to make America great again? How do you forget $100,000,000 AND where you live?
Hey, I almost forgot. Did he ever hand over his own tax return?
Hey, I almost forgot. Did he ever hand over his own tax return?
15
$100 million is chicken feed compared to the total wealth of Mr. Mnuchin!
5
"We're gonna' need a bigger swamp" for Donald Trump's AmeRussian cabinet of oligarchs.
18
This is Trump's idea of draining the swamp? Actually, he's filling it.
42
It's his plan to minimize the perception of sea level rise: when the swamp has swamped America, nobody will notice the water lapping at thresholds in Florida.
2
Is this another one that's going to drain the swamp? Yeah, if the swamp is the government and replace it with people who are going to turn America into what another starve the beast genius, Brownbeck, in Kansas. They've had to close schools, reduce hours that they can even be open, on and on with rich idiots who do want to reduce taxes and pay for nothing that people need to live a safe, healthy life- education, safe roads, safe drinking water, safe food and medication, healthcare, clean environment, returning the money you PAID in for a lifetime back to you to provide for you in old age, and protecting God's creatures and the land and water they need. God needs to help us all with these people getting ready to ascend to the nation's highest offices to doom us all for generations to come. That's no exaggeration.
16
100 million dollars. Ah geez, that's just pocket change to someone like Mnuchin. I'm sure he's perfectly aware of the complicated issues that millions of working class Americans have to cash in their pocket change at the end of the work week to pay for gas, groceries, or medication. What I'm really baffled about, is as to how any of the blue-collar workers that voted to put Trump in office can still believe for a moment that Trump or for that matter any of his Billionaire appointees have their best interests and day to day needs in mind?
27
Because they have been convinced by Comrade Trump that the fact that these people are billionaires proves that they must be great business owners and managers with amazing brains.
3
Well Aaron, they're still mad about Benghazi. And they conveniently forgive Trump for not releasing his tax returns. Hmmm......I wonder what they would have said if the Clintons never released their tax returns.
3
Yuk. Washington is going to reek so foul from tomorrow that the only solution would be to move across the ocean to be able to breathe normally.
12
I often forget my many homes scattered around the country. And for those who are claiming this isn't a big deal or he isn't responsible for his paperwork - it is and he is. At least he has many millions to pay people to get the paperwork right!
31
One of the producers of the Lego movie - He is Lord Business!
2
Maybe I won't fill out my "quite complicated" tax forms this year and see what happens.
8
This Trump thing is getting scarier by the day. When is the government going to send in the shrink?
7
If you scale our income levels, this would be eerily similar to the time I found a $20 bill in my coat pocket that I had forgotten about. So, yeah, I can see how this could easily happen.
7
It accounts for about one quarter of all his wealth. So not clear it is like $20 in the back of the couch.
2
So Trump's cabinet will be comprised of the rich and for the rich. The only people who should be surprised are the foolish struggling white people who voted him. Trickle down doesn't work.
16
The people who made DT our president think ISIS is our biggest threat. Wrong, DT and his Billionaire Club cabinet appointments are the biggest threat facing the nation-and the world. This guy is a classic example: he not only takes advantage of the tricks that allow the 1% to pay a lower tax percentage than the middle class-he is one of the architects of these tricks. There is a reason the middle class is disappearing in the US folks, and it isn't ISIS (or welfare, or the myriad other things that the 1% have successfully used to distract the public from their thievery): the reason is people like Steven Mnuchin (and DT). If people are too stupid to see what is being done to them by these guys (and lets be honest about this: stupidity got DT elected plain and simple), maybe they deserve what is being done to them. Hey, I make a lot of money, so no problem for me. I'm just sad that so many good folks are going to have to go down with the ship.
28
Remember during McCain's presidential run when he couldn't answer the question about how many houses he owned? I thought that was bad.
This is a whole different level. Putin is howling with laughter.
This is a whole different level. Putin is howling with laughter.
14
the questions are: why did he disclose them now and what else hasn't he disclosed?
for us normal people, lying on a job application means we don't get the job. others with enough money just get a pass.
this more than disqualifies him for the job.
for us normal people, lying on a job application means we don't get the job. others with enough money just get a pass.
this more than disqualifies him for the job.
15
I made the same mistake when I settled up with my ex-wife. Oh well, hate it for her.
4
Well, we certainly don't need a Secretary of the Treasury who can't even understand and fill in government forms, do we?
13
I am pretty confident that Steve Mnuchin is pretty well acquainted with filling out financial disclosure forms. In fact, he has probably filled out hundreds of personal and company financial disclosure forms over the course of his career in finance and he has probably pored over hundreds more. Thus, I would conclude that this is not an accidental oversight and was likely an intentional effort to conceal certain assets. If Steve Mnuchin can't be honest about his own finances, then he doesn't deserve the job of regulating ours.
23
“Let me just be clear again: I did not use a Cayman Islands entity in any way to avoid paying taxes for myself,” Mr. Mnuchin said.
But he did use tax avoidance to boost his income. Every tax he avoided for clients added in part to his own profit. There's no difference.
But he did use tax avoidance to boost his income. Every tax he avoided for clients added in part to his own profit. There's no difference.
21
If this guy can't even figure out how to fill in information on a form what is he doing being assigned to a cabinet post?
2
It's because he can't figure out how to fill in the form that he is being assigned a cabinet post.
1
It's all a formality anyway in Trump's administration. The oligarchs are taking over.
2
Those of us who are mere citizens seem to be able to fill out IRS forms, despite their being "complicated," and generally manage to be pretty close to correct in our accounts. If we made "mistakes" like these, we'd be in endless trouble with the IRS. But it's somehow okay if it's the Secretary of the Treasury or a billionaire? What a disaster these nominations are, but then, they emanate from the even bigger disaster at the top who has clearly failed to vet his nominees..
2
“I think as you all can appreciate, filling out these government forms is quite complicated” he says. And shaping the US economy isn't? If he's confused by filling out forms then we're in deep, deep trouble.
3
A hundred million, a hundred schmillion.
It escaped Mnuchin's recent memory?
Does not bode well and/or is ominous for the American people.
It escaped Mnuchin's recent memory?
Does not bode well and/or is ominous for the American people.
Money is power. Can you really call it democracy when there are billionaires wielding such enormous power compared to the average citizen?
5
“Never before has the Senate considered such an ethically challenged slate of nominees for key cabinet positions.” -- Senator Chuck Schumer
Mr. Mnuchin will likely be appointed anyway. America has completely lost its soul, and Trump knows it.
Mr. Mnuchin will likely be appointed anyway. America has completely lost its soul, and Trump knows it.
4
Maybe it was an oversight but if so that points to an attitude that is very troubling, arrogant, disrespectful : I forgot, papers complicated !
So the ethics committee, even the powerful position is not worth the trouble of double-checking that all is correct?
btw: Does the IRS accept as excuse failure to disclose nearly a $100 million of assets because of their complicated, tortuous forms?
So the ethics committee, even the powerful position is not worth the trouble of double-checking that all is correct?
btw: Does the IRS accept as excuse failure to disclose nearly a $100 million of assets because of their complicated, tortuous forms?
2
Another Tempest in a Teapot at this paper. Calm down and wait for the adults to take ovet
1
Perhaps an honest mistake, but do we really want to be governed by people so rich that they forgot they had $100 million lying around?
Here's an idea for a constitutional amendment - if you are worth more than $10 million, you can't serve in government!
Here's an idea for a constitutional amendment - if you are worth more than $10 million, you can't serve in government!
6
Would that have applied to Hillary? John Kerry? Pelosi? Franken? the Kennedy's?
It should!
One of Mnuchin's first acts will be to eliminate all pesky disclosures and forms that stand in the way of Trump & Co. from making America Great Again. If you drain the swamp far enough the only things remaining will be the slime that will make up the new cabinet and White House staff. God save the United States of America from this coup attempt.
2
Mnuchin should pack it in and fly off to Davos with the other masters of the universe. Forgot a $100 million? Good god.
6
Someone who is going to be Secretary of the Treasury, shouldn't he be good at those pesky regulations and forms? Really?
6
Yeah, forms are rough. Somehow though I managed to deal with hundreds of pages for my mortgage application. At the same time I was able to submit proper disclosures forms for a new job. Poor Mnuchin. Might not be up to the task.
11
Mr. Mnuchin's testimony is classic. He did not know that he forgot to report $100 million in income nor did he know that the average monthly Social Security check is about $1200 bucks.
8
Sure he wants to simplify taxes--just abolish them for the rich and corporations.
13
It's not hard to lose $100 million. Happens to big banks every day.
3
The double standard he applies to himself is stunning. Too many pages to fill out, poor fellow, he foreclosed on people for far less a grievance. Cannot remember millions laying around while he foreclosed on people for mistakes amounting to pennies. Cannot remember all the different places he lives while foreclosing on what was probably some poor fellows only home. This person should not be rich in our society. There is nothing in his makeup which entitles him to such riches. I say we should as a people, take his riches away as soon as possible and by any means necessary, he doesn't deserve them. Great wealth used to be a great responsibility, no more, it shouldn't be allowed.
11
How many democrats in Congress have assets in the Cayman's, Panama, or Switzerland? Don't tell me it's zero.
Anyone who thinks it's egregious that a US citizen has assets in the Cayman's can thank numerous lawmakers that make it perfectly legal. The same people who vote to spend millions to study shrimp on treadmills also make it OK to sandbag money in the Cayman's so they can feign horror when face to face with Mnuchin.
Mnuchin's goal is simplify the tax code to include addressing offshore accounts. That's more than you can say for anyone in the Obama administration. Think the Clinton Foundation never accepted donations from a Cayman's account?
Timothy Geithner himself had income tax issues yet that didn't bother today's holier-than-thou Democrat congressmen. Nor did Geithner do anything during his tenure to address offshore money. Mnuchin said he would. That's more than you can say for Geithner or anybody else in past administrations.
Trump chooses people with successful track records. Democrats are more concerned with counting warm bodies to fill positions with minority quotas, unless, of course, they're conservative minorities. Then they're stupid and self-hating. That about sums it up.
Anyone who thinks it's egregious that a US citizen has assets in the Cayman's can thank numerous lawmakers that make it perfectly legal. The same people who vote to spend millions to study shrimp on treadmills also make it OK to sandbag money in the Cayman's so they can feign horror when face to face with Mnuchin.
Mnuchin's goal is simplify the tax code to include addressing offshore accounts. That's more than you can say for anyone in the Obama administration. Think the Clinton Foundation never accepted donations from a Cayman's account?
Timothy Geithner himself had income tax issues yet that didn't bother today's holier-than-thou Democrat congressmen. Nor did Geithner do anything during his tenure to address offshore money. Mnuchin said he would. That's more than you can say for Geithner or anybody else in past administrations.
Trump chooses people with successful track records. Democrats are more concerned with counting warm bodies to fill positions with minority quotas, unless, of course, they're conservative minorities. Then they're stupid and self-hating. That about sums it up.
3
What you people say hardly ever corresponds to what you do. And false equivalence is your game. Timothy Geithner's issue was a few thousand dollars of Social Security tax due on a class of income Turbotax had not been programmed to recognize as taxable by the US.
There is plenty that nobody is going to do anything about besides the Electoral College.
There is plenty that nobody is going to do anything about besides the Electoral College.
Successful at making billions of dollars by cheating, lying and stealing from the American taxpayer. Yeah, they are really successful when it comes to that! And yes, he'll simplify the tax code so that the billionaires pay even fewer taxes. A move that will definitely help the American middle class. I cannot believe that anyone is so simple minded and ignorant that they can't foresee what the future will be under the Trump administration. Then again apparently just enough people voted in favor of putting a psychotic, thief, liar and misogynist into the oval office. Go figure?
3
The problem is not that he has assets in the Cayman Islands. It's that he failed to disclose this fact.
The unreported $100 million isn't even the worse part of Mnuchin's shenanigans. The fact that he failed to disclose that he is still the director of a shady Cayman Islands hedge fund, reeks of disqualified candidate.
This clown show just doesn't end.
This clown show just doesn't end.
5
The NYTimes headline is catchy, but if one had listened to the actual hearing the real, and far sadder news fact, is that the Times consistently distorts the truth. It's a real shame that readers are subjected to this nonsense. The asset disclosures were corrected, and based on Mnuchin's opportunity to respond seemed to honestly be based on a misunderstanding of the obligation to include certain types of assets. As for the directorship, the offshore entity related to his hedge fund, Dun Capital, was properly disclosed from the beginning (and is legal, typical of a hedge fund structure and required to invest money on behalf of U.S. based non-profits and foreign investors); the only thing Mnuchin left off was the fact that he is a director of this entity - this is a ministerial role and nearly irrelevant when you consider that he is the CEO of Dune. Shame on you NYTimes - readers deserve better.
So, let me get this straight -- filling out disclosure forms is really complicated ... but being at the helm of the world's largest economy is no sweat.
What we've seen so far from Team Trump is a series of people who would be hard pressed to think their way out of a wet paper bag. Can we hope that he's just lining up the next group of contestants so he can dust off the catch phrase?
What we've seen so far from Team Trump is a series of people who would be hard pressed to think their way out of a wet paper bag. Can we hope that he's just lining up the next group of contestants so he can dust off the catch phrase?
2
So we have a Cabinet secretary nominee who doesn't bother to list required information on his application form. To those senators who will vote for him anyway: Why bother going through the motions of a hearing? Just man up and say, "Yeah, he's good enough. We'll do whatever Donald Trump wants because we're mindless sheep that can't stand up to him or question his choices." Spare us all the expense of your pretended objectivity and interest.
4
"Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand. They think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are because we had to discover the compensations and refuges of life for ourselves. Even when they enter deep into our world or sink below us, they still think that they are better than we are. They are different." F. Scott Fitzgerald
3
If it was a true oversight, that speaks volumes more than anything else he could have disclosed. How many people can merely "forget" to list $100 Million and a directorship of an investment fund in the Caymans? Yeah, this guys is gonna be real empathetic to America's working class.
2
Is the "Swamp Draining" intended to mean that he is draining the swamp by placing it in the Executive Office cabinet?
This is classic insider trading. $100,000,000.00? I anyone else did this they and the person who gave him the tip would be headed to federal prison. But not congressmen. Why should the rest of us obey the rules when crooks like here say: What me worry. America deserves tump and his republican kleptocrats.
100 million here, 100 million there. Not much on its face, but after a while it starts to add up.
These people have too much money. And they want more? I don't understand this level of acquisitiveness. It is sapping us.
5
Don't you know?---these people never have enough money.
And if you've never heard of Bernie Madoff, now is the time to Google him.
And if you've never heard of Bernie Madoff, now is the time to Google him.
2
"uh, yeah, just wanted to clear up the matter of my residences and real estate holdings, an oversight there, what with all the paper disclosures , looks as if that figure should be increased by $100 million, I am sorry that I forgot to put that value down--- it truly was an oversight and I am sure you can see how a person could overlook the value of his residences. I mean, no bank was about to foreclose on them or something like that."
To quote Elizabeth Warren: "When Mnuchin makes mistakes on complicated paperwork, he asks for forgiveness. When his customers made mistakes, he took their homes."
15
Too bad we cannot see Trump tax returns to see if his investments have something in common with billionaire cabinet picks.
4
I suppose that disclosure, like paying taxes, is for little people.
4
I believe the liberals are making a mountain out of a mole hill here. They can't stand it if people are successful.
3