Since he probably has nothing, he has nothing to hide.
5
When you apply for a home mortgage, the bankers insist you sign a form authorizing the IRS to release a copy of your last two years of tax returns, to process your application.
What kind of nonsense is it, that a person can apply for the job of president, and not compelled to release their taxes.
12
Please stop calling them House Democrats. This is the House Ways and Means committee requesting that the IRS turn over a sitting President's tax return. This is not about Democrat Vs Republican but about two co-equal branches of Government having an open power struggle over what is or is not the extent of Congress's powers. If the presidentially appointed Treasury Secretary can openly deny requests from the House of Representatives than we no longer live in a constitutional democracy.
11
The world is laughing ...
... and they’re laughter is directed at us.
Who are we to cite “the rule of law”, and democracy?
Forget about respecting the office, and the Presidential Seal. We need the presidential “Tin Pot”.
1
presidential harrassment? like constantly harping on about someone’s birth certificate and how it de-legitimizes their presidency?
7
Richard Nixon released his tax records during the height of Watergate and every president since has done so until Trump. Most Americans, even the ones who still back him know the guy's a liar, so why make him look in any way sympathetic by insisting on seeing his returns? AS Mel Brooks explained regarding all the Nazi jokes in The Producers, the best way to show contempt for people like Donald Trump is to hold them up to ridicule.
The Democrats need to concentrate on showing the voters Trump reached in 2016 in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania real examples of the man's economic idiocy. His lies. His downright counter productive rants and raves. Sounds simple, right? It should be, but showing Donald Trump to be economically irresponsible becomes much more difficult when the Democrats have declared presidential candidates promising to deliver programs that are either fiscally impossible as in "free college" or regarding "Medicare for all", a policy that would result in the destruction of our healthcare system almost overnight.
The cover story in the Times Magazine this past weekend, the closing of the Chevy plant in Ohio, that 's what hits home. Wasn't Donnie going to bring jobs back to America? Make him defend his actions in those terms.
What's up with Hillary warning last week the Russians were planning to do in 2020 what they did to her in 2016? You don't think she's testing the water do ya'?. Talk about a Trump/Nixon flashback....Four more years..four more years
1
Munchin, read the law. YOU are not part of the equation. The law was written to prevent interference by then Treasury Secretary, Andrew Mellon, who had gremlins in his closet. The law hasn’t been changed to allow you to interfere.
7
J Donald Trump has been promising to show us his taxes for years (once the “audit” is complete), so I’d like to know what Mnuchin’s big deal is about it now.
I guess Trump’s bluff is being called.
4
The law is the law. Congress has the obligation to enforce the constitution. Presidents, even dishonest con man trump are not above the law. WHAT is trump hiding and so afraid of? Munchkin is one more trump toady (like Barr) who is shirking his obligation to the country in favor of providing cover to the biggest liar and crook ever to reside in the White House. Sad. Very sad.
4
Mike Pence had better release his return sooner than later.
1
Mnuchin is exactly like all the other Kings' men (and women). He acts as a counsel for Trump, and being a member of the Trumpism organization is expected to do nothing different except to allow the Pres to continue his Godfather like criminal style of governing. He should be subpoenaed by Congress, brought before the Supreme Court and reviewed for his criminal interference for prosecution. The "Wall's will fall down soon.
My greatest concern right now is the mental affect Trump has had on our citizens, both Democrat and Republican. There are a huge amount of people out here that have problematic issues, based upon this POTUS actions and his Trumpet disciples. I witness it every day in communication with so many angry people. Without identifying patients, I speak to friends who are physicians. They are constantly sending patients to psych referral based upon their conditions created by current politics.
2
Put this Mnuchin in jail. Do no hesitate. This administration is trying to stay in control at any price. Do you actually think they will respect anyone or anything other them themselves. Where are the republicans?
This administration constantly violates any legal or social limits, like a rebellious teenager. Time to give the teenage administration some real consequences, otherwise they will continue the behavior. These are all simple parenting guidelines.
9
If this ends up being successful, it will be great to know that if I'm ever asked to show my tax returns I can just say, "if the President doesn't have to then why do I?" (insert laughing crying face)
2
While I do not believe that John Q. Public hs the right to see the returns, I do believe that the Committee has that right, and that the request is merited.
5
I do feel it is nothing but harassment of the president by all the democrats (crooks themselves). If there really is such a law then I want to see every congressman and woman provide 6 years or returns also. Would be interested in seeing how they made their money and what they paid in taxes
Harrassing someone for demanding they do what they promised as well as ensuring transparency they so love to tout is harrasment? I agree every public official should release their taxes. Every single one. Trump's supporters do not want him to because they know he as a crooked as he so blatantly reveals and they simply reflect him.
4
Sometimes Mnuchin outworms Stephen Miller! This is one of those times! It’s like a political limbo rock!!!
4
The Dems: "Dang it! We need those tax returns! They're fodder to continue the subterfuge that we no longer perform our primary job: legislating."
While the request for T-rump's tax returns is incidentally political it is essentially a question of the pursuit of the truth about the man who purports to leads this nation and his moral and financial standards. As a career flim-flam,bait and switch serial con man who has exploited others his entire life as his MO, I suspect he is up to his eye balls in laundered money, slush payments, bloated write offs, and understated assets and dividends with underpaid property, income, and corporate taxes.He is the King of Fraud, Selfishness and Mendacity.
Let truth and light shine on this
Stinking Mountain of Olympus of Sleaze.
4
There is nothing political about expecting transparency from the president. This is nothing new. The vast majority think he should and have since before Putin installed him.
3
Mnuchin should release his 6 past returns.
1
The disinformation to all of the American people, this is a problem thousands and thousands lawyers know this is all wrong but no one will use the two simple words that's ends this. EXCULATORY RUMMAGING, it violates the Constitution and is many years old, this continued massive lies, now the demicraysying about lying, all true, they are justying re-writing the law just like Muller and Wiesman did in the Enron Merrill Lynch case, changed and prosecuted under a statue they engineered from two statutes, yes,.it's that corrupt, but not without, like the Congress is doing, making up statutes thatbday exist asking questions and now want to set up a perjury trap against Barr, he's not having it, they are lying about lying, he's sure to defeat that in any court and acting as complete fools with chickens sticking out or every orifice of this bodies
3 little word munchkin, BLACK LETTER LAW.
all the better that you go down with the fatman.
Wave good bye to your Hollywood life & your Hollywood wife.
2
Steve Mnuchin refuses to release Donald Trump's tax returns.
No big surprise there.
And lest we forget, Mr. Mnuchin also had trouble remembering to disclose $100 million at his own nomination hearings for Secretary of the Treasury Department.
11
Trump wants his tax returns secret, his business dealings secret, his foundation records secrete, his college transcripts secret. Then he wonders why no one trusts him?
9
Arguably, Mnuchin is the worst of Trump's sycophant cabinet members. It was Congress who enacted the law under which the tax returns are demanded. A spoiled brat son of a 1980's Goldman Sacks chairman has no business making pronouncements about the legitimacy of Congressional inquiry a President who has made repeated fraudulent representations about his wealth and assets . Does anyone believe that barring any evidence to the contrary Trump paid any taxes for the six years in question? Does anyone believe Trump's taxes are or were under audit?
As an aside, I knew Mnuchin's older brother in graduate business school. I had wondered how someone who was such a personal and intellectual ugly zero got such coveted summer and permanent positions at Goldman. Then a classmate explained: "You don't know who that kid's father is?" Now he too is running a hedge fund.
6
What is apparent here is the Political take over of the Justice department is complete. No independent lawyer would ever say the Treasury secretary has any grounds to refuse a legitimate request from Congress. Trump has made no secret that he views the Justice department as his personal team of lawyers, not some independent body representing the citizens of the US.
This is a sad day for US and yet another instance of Trump, his cronies and the apologist GOP's assault on our Democracy.
4
Trump should NEVER make his returns public.
A person with his involvement in dozens of diverse businesses likely has a return numbering thousands of pages.
Fake news media would then create a ‘scandal’ each day.
IRS has the power to jail tax cheats.
Trump has a long history in business.
Never been charged with any crimes.
1
Are you kidding? What are you thinking? If Trump has nothing to hide wouldn't the best way to quiet his opponents would be transparency. Why do you try to protect someone who uses every legal obstacle to buy and waste time in the faint hope he won't be further exposed before 2020.
3
@Tuco - There are more than a dozen current investigations into Trump's shady dealings and hundreds of lawsuits in his past. If his life and business can't stand up to scrutiny he should never have fun for public office.
3
CORRUPTION! We want to see how much he is and will profit from the tax scam. That is a very legit reason for Congres to demand his tax returns.
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
2
I called Chairman Neal's office and asked if the Chairman can not go to the Capital Police and seek an arrest. Cannot to Capital Police go to the Dist. Court for D.C. and seek an arrest warrant and if granted cannot Mnuchin be arrested. The answer I got was the Chairman was with council but he would give the message to the Chairman. I admit, I am simple minded but he committed a crime and should be arrested just like any other criminal. Just my 2 cents.
9
Ever state legislature should enact this statute: "no tax returns, no name on ballot." You're welcome.
9
As a youngster, my mother told me the story of the “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” in an effort to help me understand why lying is dangerous. If one loses credibility it could allow for a great catastrophe. Our president has lied or bluffed or told half-truths so often that many of can no longer perceive what’s true or false anymore. This could lead to disaster and is one one reason we must be able to trust our leaders to be honest. Trump got himself into this jam. Whether or not he “cheated” on his tax returns is besides the point. He may in his own mind feel he didn’t and was simply keeping what he’s entitled to because he actually doesn’t know any better. But because he continually blurts out untruths he has placed himself in a position to be mistrusted and he should be made to pay the consequences.
5
What is being done to this country while we stare at Trump’s Taxes, or the specious border/immigrant issue, or the Russian collusion/obstruction investigation? Steve Mnuchin has rewritten the tax codes so that large corporates now pay a flat 21% rate – down from 35% only last year. (GDP growth in the first quarter of tax reporting now looks spectacular, when in fact corporations are just paying less and claiming more income.) Mnuchin put a $10,000 cap on property tax deductions, meaning many homeowners will now be paying the government more each tax year, further adding tax revenue to the GDP. And, as property values continue to rise, more and more American homeowners will end up contributing to that honey pot. Yes, Trump is a bankrupt who will be readily exposed if his taxes ever see the light of day (or before they’re altered). Billions will be poured into the “immigration” coffers where Trump donor companies will profit from walls and security operations. And the Russians will continue to use digital media to further destroy our democratic processes (just as Putin wishes). But once Trump’s (and the far-right’s) economic programs melt down (as planned), and the next big transfer of wealth through debt collection rises again, the oligarchs of the world will continue their takeover of the American middle class. THIS is the reason the majority voting public needs to replace our horrendous executive and its sycophantic senate.
6
IRS employees don't need permission to leak the returns to Congress in this instance, and 10,000 attorneys would defend his/her right to do so, for free. Which patriot in that IRS wants the Medal of Freedom by acclamation? Who wants there name on a statue in front of the IRS for the next thousand years?
2
Jail him for refusing to follow a lawful order from Congress. He doesn't get to pick and choose which laws he likes or doesn't like.
7
How do we know, since he won't release his taxes, that Trump's tariff game isn't a short selling inside trader crime?
6
How can the lying President of the United States maintain that the American people have no right to know if he is indebted to foreign entities financially? In what political universe is that defensible, I ask the Republican traitors to our Republic? This isn't "Game of Thrones fantasy bizarro," this is our national nightmare and a national emergency that makes any other "national emergency" look like a two year old missing the toilet. Cohen said trump will not go quietly, if at all. Trump will contest the result which will go to the Kangaroo Court for a "decision." We have two sides that hate each other, and a leader who foments hatred at every opportunity. Our Republic is in mortal danger ala 1860, and there is an illegitimate anti-Abraham Lincoln in the White House. NOW is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country.
8
Facebook and Kinko get ready for the tax return dropped.
All Americans need to evaluate this question; would a honest person particular one who resides in the White House be willing to have a Congressional committee review their lawfully completed tax return ?
The Con Man in Chief is hiding years of illegally filed tax returns and has been lying for over four years that his tax return is being audited.
I really don't understand why someone at the IRS has not released Trumps tax returns especially now that Congress has demanded them under the law (IRS shall release) .
Also I do not understand why leaks have not been released to the press about the audit lies.
Federal employees must understand you can not be prosecuted for following the law , tell Mnuchin and Trump to take a hike.
6
No surprise. This administration and its enablers are shameless it their strategy to retain power at any cost. With an illegitimate Supreme Court by objective standards (confirmation hearing liars Thomas, Kavanaugh, and McConnell pretender Gorsuch, is there any doubt how any contested election issue would be resolved by our "highest" court? The current pretender president will cry foul for any reason that pops into Faux News' head (Russian interference comes to mind) and refuse to accept any election result that attempts to depose him, turning it over to a court that was foisted on America by Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky lemonmouth and, imho, a traitor to the ideals of our country. The Republican Party has already effected a coup of our republic, because they had the political will and ambition to do it. As Cohen has predicted, he will not go willingly.
1
Impeach Munchin ? If we look past the SCOTUS ruling that the request is lawful. And the inevitability the Munchin will still refuse to release the tax records. What power does Congress have to compel compliance?
It's both sad and terrifying to to be in a situation where we realize that the rule of law only exists when citizens agree to respect the laws and the institutions that made them
2
Evidently EVERY law, code, statute, whatever should be challenged, if this very unambiguous one in the very Constitution of the United States can be. This one isn't even directly concerning the President, given that this office seems to carry certain legal perquisites afforded no other; no, this involves the Secretary of the Treasury.
Criminal defense lawyers, take heed. Lawyers representing people hung up by any law: challenge the law itself. You probably usually do already, except now you see that even when it seems it would be a futile gesture...maybe it ain't so futile after all.
This is what Putin achieved, and why it might be worth every sanction levied against him and his cronies. We have come to question every word of our Constitution. But maybe that's a good thing. Looks like it should be okay to revisit the Electoral College after all. Revise the apportionment of national senators, to make it less likely for the voting minority to tyrannize the majority. Put some nuance back into the Second Amendment, or at least update it for modern technology. Explicitly codify a right to privacy, instead of leaving it up to the various interpretations of random judges on a case by case basis. Require the exposure of tax returns for elected officials. Enact provisions about cyber warfare, making it an act of war when done by foreign actors.
If it's okay to challenge anything, let's be proactive and organized about it. Or else Putin REALLY wins, maybe for good.
Oh goodie! If Donald will show the rest of us his tax return, so will I. Actually, I would really like to make public the huge tax advantage I got from Donald's great tax relief bill. Yes, I got $100.00 back, which, of course, I let the government keep to help with my 2019 EST payments. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes; I DO mind being told that we ordinary folks got a big tax break from Donald. Hey, maybe he got $100.00 back too!!! If so, I apologize.
4
@Barbara We ended up paying $2,500. So much for the Trump tax breaks.
5
Trump's tax returns none of anyone's beeswax except the IRS. Congress should do People's work and not waste money and time of tax payers.
2
"He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying."
Good. Then we'd get to see who in Congress is corrupt and who is actually trying to help this country.
7
Enough. Subpoena, hold in contempt, arrest. Period. This is just running down the clock and allowing Trump to continue his complaint of harassment. Follow the law.
6
Someone's protecting a thief.
4
But no one is above the law, right? Sure Wilbur...
With luck, the Secretary will be held in contempt, or worse.
1
Munchkin's mission is to delay the inevitable ... Will He make it past Nov. 2020.....Watch and find out !
1
Candidate Trump said he would release his taxes if elected. I guess that was just ANOTHER of his 10000+ documented LIES!
8
This was a real shocker. We all know how Mnuchin is wired. He watched what happened to former Cabinet officials who fell out of lock step with DT. 100% extinction rate. This matter will get resolved in 18 months at the polls.
1
The article points out that there is no law preventing someone under audit from releasing tax returns.
Why doesn't it also point out that there is no law requiring a presidential candidate to share their tax information?
It is a decision by the candidate, and only has political repercussions, not legal ones. The votes elected Trump without his returns, so the political repercussions are a settled matter.
Once again, Democrats show they don't understand the law, and the New York Time demonstrates its biased reporting!
1
He is, indeed, the president. He did, indeed, say he would release them. He has, indeed, lied again.
4
@Will
No, there isn't a law requiring tax information to be shared. Only more than four decades of tradition in which other presidents and candidates did so, in order to be transparent with the people who were voting for them. If everything is on the up and up, and Trump has nothing to hide, do you not wonder what exactly he is so terrified of allowing voters to see them?
7
The Republicans are backing Trump in his endeavour of turning the US into a banana republic.
Steve Mnunchin said that the House Ways and Means Committee’s request is „unprecedented.”
But Trump broke with 40 years of precedent when he, as presidential candidate, REFUSED to release his tax returns, under the pretext of being under audit by the IRS, while there are no laws preventing him from releasing them while under audit.
Rep. Richard Neal’s request is justifiable and doesn’t present “serious constitutional questions” for honest and law-abiding citizens.
The spineless Steven Mnuchin said that he was “not authorized” to disclose Trump’s tax returns. He and Barr are justTrump's minions. They are not serving the country.
Americans who revere their Constitution must not tolerate a despotic president.
7
Nor are their laws requiring him to release them just because he ran for potus
1
CORRUPTION! Congress has the right to demand his tax returns, esp. after the 2017 tax scam
Editor’s note: This comment has been anonymized in accordance with applicable law(s).
1
Why are these law breakers collecting the people's moneys?
2
As President of the United States he is the most highly paid public servant in the country. Taking up such a position comes with responsibility, one of those responsibilities is being honest and transparent so that the public paying his salary are able to see for themselves that he is what he says he is. Nothing to hide. When a President challenges his employers (the public) because he does not want them to view his tax returns. Maybe he shouldn't have taken the job in the first place?
7
File the lawsuit, the Congress needs to monitor how trumped audit was swept under the rug because it surely was.. I think.. so you have a duty to find out.. the guy lies all the time and uses his power to lie he certainly ain't gonna accept a real audit by the IRS
6
I don't know why the Democrats are even bothering. Trump's supporters could see a personal check to Trump from Attila the Hun, and they wouldn't care less. His supporters simply do not care that he is immoral and dishonest.
7
How about section 7214 of the 26 US Code?
3
So he was going to release them, but was being audited for all previous years. Then he was being audited as "president." Um...why? He is the president...what could he possibly be hiding that he needs to be audited for, criminal activies? Honestly, why would he need an audit? Now his second full year in office, and there is again no reason he should be under an audit, and his minions are calling foul!? They can ask under FOIA, they supposedly did or have, and that is presidential harassment!? The same guy that wanted to lock up Hillary. The same guy that argued Obama was not an American. The same guy that wants sexy time with his daughter. The same guy that tweets lies every morning. The same guy that employs lawyers to stand in front of him while he hurls insults at people from behind his shielded throne. presidential harassment is what we the people have to deal with as citizens of this country.
3
This is ridiculous! Mr. Mnuchin and Trump know full well they are going to continue to deflect and deceive the citizens of this country and get away with consequences. I am frankly sick and tired of hearing daily about the flouting of the rule of law and the ineffective actions taken by the Democrats. We need to remove this cancerous corruption from office as soon as possible. Enough!
6
People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing.
10
Why should anyone pay attention to any laws? We should ignore all laws, all court documents, just as do our nation's leaders. It's every man, woman and child for themselves. Grift is king.
4
Where are all the hackers and leakers? Can somebody do us a solid in this situation? We are nation of laws but that doesn't apply to rich white men. Am tired of all this back and forth nonsense that's getting us nowhere.
8
He who has nothing to hide hides nothing. Ergo, Trump has LOTS to hide; he's afraid for the American people to see who/what he really is - a fraud, a corrupt man beholden to foreign banks/governments.
7
Watch out world. Trump needs more distractions in the news. Distractions from his felonious deeds. Aircraft carrier to mideast. Who knows whats next.
6
As a Canadian, I look on in astonishment at the farce Trump and his sycophantic minions are making of your laws and institutions. The law states the IRS "shall furnish" if requested said tax returns, not if the kleptocrat-in-chief agrees.
What I find truly amazing is that over 100 million Americans think Trump is amazing, a fact perhaps even more scary than Trump himself.
13
a legitimate legislative issue is anything Congress wants it to be or did I miss something in civics class?
4
This is very simple: Democrats lost the elections. After this they found Russians guilty in they defeat, and they started to sabotage the government, attack the Tramp officials. Now they are using their official elected position to try to remove the legtimate elected president or, as minimum, weaken him, all in interests and gains of their party. They do need to, because they are naked: no economic program, no forein, no nothing, only personal offenses. Their behavior is very dangerous for this country: it creates dangerous precedents. Ant I believe, it is abuse of power, and it is criminal abuse of power, whatever they pretend their actions are.
We, American citizens, should stop it until it get too late.
I am not pro-Trump, I only want to preserve American Democracy and return dignity to our politics.
1
Curious that you’re “not pro-Trump,” but you accuse his opposition of subverting democracy, not the man who paid off porn stars and has 10 counts of obstruction of justice just waiting for enforcement when he is defeated.
2
@Tristan T a\k\a Individual (1).
2
Since when does the secretary of an executive department get to tell the Congress what is or is not in its purview? Or interprets the law de facto? What a travesty. Time to impeach Mnuchin along with Barr. As the dominoes fall, the Architect of Chaos will find himself isolated and alone. And impeachable, too.
6
It should be quite obvious to anyone with a high school education, or better, that the tariff's are no more than a price fixing scheme by the international billionaire class. The ones that put Trump into office. We need to get him out before he 'ultimately' will bankrupt us all. If we got rid of this billionaire class it would end world poverty and stop wars. Especially those that make their billions in metals. Billionaires such as Carl Icahn and plenty of other international billionaires, many from Russia also used clandestine U,S, business fronts to put hundreds of millions into Trump's campaign. While other abominable creatures such as Icahn 'a phony philanthropist' that diverts funds from his tax-exempt status into the Trump political campaign. That is hundreds of millions, and billions they robbed from us.Their ultimate goal is to make us all pay more. This is all money that is going straight into the billionaires pockets, Trump should be indicted for tax fraud and kicked out of office. I guess being a Republican takes precedence over ethics, morals or scruples.
4
Prosecute him. His "legal challenge" is a red herring. I understand that the Justice Department has been corrupted. Stay the indictment until the Dem's take the Presidency. In the meantime, make it very clear to him that he will face criminal charges. His "turn in the barrel" will come.
3
King Trump's right hand man has spoken. A puppet to protect the king and his tax fraud/evasion. Remember when we had a democracy? 3 branches of gov't? A president was not above the law? Remember when a person running for president released their tax returns and did not need to hire a bevy of attorneys to prevent their release? My how one can long for the good old days.
1
In arguing against the administration's negative response to the request for the tax returns, the democrats need only point to the shell game the president has played with their release for over three years. Among his many, many lies, he promised over and over to release them- when they weren't being "audited." He brought their release into the arena of public opinion with that lie, however, because the IRS stated unequivocally that audits do not prevent the disclosing of returns. Thus, it doesn't really matter that the administration finds that the disclosure “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose.” The president himself gave lip service to the real purpose: so that the public ( as was the case with every presidential candidate who ever voluntarily released their returns) can have confidence. Jimmy Carter sold the peanut farm. It was just a gesture; but an important one. The IRS law is firm- the WH has nothing on its side but stonewalling (while rationalizing why they do so- on the fly).
Just as it has nothing (in the law) on its side, with AG Barr's contemptible treatment of a document that hundreds of prosecutors have endorsed as plausible proof of obstruction by the president.
3
Requesting anything from Trump is foolhardy - did they forget to say 'please'? Trump plays hard ball and the Democrats had better learn to be a better team at this game. Demand is the word - legally demand. Munchin's reply 'lacks a legitimate legislative purpose' is laughable. Past Presidents have not had a problem with this mandatory requirement, - obviously revealing the source of income or debts is a problem for Trump - one he will take to the Supreme Court. The Speaker advises "no impeachment". The 2020 election is not going to remove him from office. The Democrats running for office are split and the ones in the Congress are weak. God help us all said Tiny Tim.
1
I have no doubt that Trump does not want his tax returns to see the light of day as it would expose his shenanigans and I suspect would expose his tightwad tendencies. But that being said, I have to agree with Mnuchin, that this is more of a political than a legislative purpose and would set a bad precedent. I would much rather see a law passed that requires full transparency of finances and taxes by all politicians and candidates.
I am all for the Democrats checking this out-of-control President but they need to be smarter about the battles that they choose to fight. This one smells of being long on harassment for harassment's sake and short on actually fulfilling their duty to not allowing Trump to become a despot.
2
'The Treasury secretary said that the Justice Department would memorialize its advice on the matter in a published legal opinion."
Go ahead and do that! That way it will be easier to weed out the bad apples who use their brains to drive nails into oak logs.
The New York Times has all ready uncovered some of Trump's tax evasion. We have a right to know it all.
It's the republicans who have so severely cut the IRS's ability to prosecute tax cheats. That's costing the rest of us who aren't so clever or dishonest.
6
Since Mnuchin’s response was a foregone conclusion, why is Neal not ready to act? There was never any ambiguity about the word “shall.”
What is it about the Democrats that they seem to think Trump and his minions will abide by the rule of law?
5
Trump couldn't destroy American democracy on his own.
It's being done with the assistance of the world's oligarchs, domestic and foreign.
But it's not only American democracy that's going down.
It's the planet.
Where will all those haughty oligarchs and their offspring go then?
Have they got a magic rocket in their pocket?
6
Mnuchin was given a clear choice and the law is black letter. Provide or immediate termination with a fine of 10K so I don't think even a republican beholding to Trump can save Mnuchin's job no matter what the court may be foolish enough to rule. Any violation of the Constitution will have long term detrimental results for any who tread there. Trump is by no means safe in the POTUS job and he remains beyond Putin's safety net for now. The democrats will wake up and wise up that there are mountains of evidence of Trump crimes and connections dating back to the late 70's with people who represent the criminal element in world power circles and all that is obtainable through search warrants used to make RICO cases in the past and some still ongoing. Do your homework and dig a little and the gold is just covered in dust from 9/11!
2
We need a March on Washington for The Preservation Of Democracy.
4
Congress needs to step up and enforce its prerogatives under the US constitution or this will be the end of the rule of law in America. If one individual can thumb his nose at authority, especially when that individual is in the highest office of the land, then why should anybody respect authority and the rule of law.
At every turn, this administration spits in the face of Lady Justice. As above, so below. Is enough enough yet?
5
All I say is that Mucus would have had 40 years of filings available to via easily searched website so fast that it breaks the laws of physics if it was a republican asking for a Democrats taxes.
1
Why does he worry? Once they see the light of day, he will deny whatever is in them as fake, and his cult followers will bow down and praise him all the more loudly.
2
Then ask Mnuchen if the President's taxes are still "under audit" ... as the candidate claimed. A simple 'yes' or 'no' would be all that is needed.
2
When he ran OneWest Bank, Mnuchin stole 16,000 reverse mortgage homes. First, he ran up the deficiencies on the homes by NOT paying escrows, then he used foreclosure mill law firms to use deceit that further ran up deficiencies. After throwing trusting senior citizens on the street, he then overbilled mortgage insurance for the supposed loses, while writing off the losses through 1099s to the bilked seniors. His bank was later fined $90 million for those inflated billings. Mr. Mnuchin should be in a federal prison. Instead he's working for the federal government. And you wonder why he's more than willing to do the bidding of an autocratic thief?
15
Democrats ask and Trump denies. What's the news? The Constitution is a mystery to Trump. Barking Trumpism story lines do not pass for understanding, nor eliminate ignorance.
1
So this would take years. But somehow they could get the issue of the additional citizen question on the census fast-tracked.
2
And didn’t AG Barr’s daughter, Mary Daly, recently join the Treasury Dept as part of the Financial Crimes Enforcement team? You can’t make this stuff up.
2
Secretary Mnuchin is in Contempt of congress and should be arrested tonight, and jailed in the basement of the Supreme Court.
The Trump Administration has broken every law on the books, and block Congress's ability to exercise their Constitutional responsibilities.
3
As I said when the Stormy Daniels coverup broke , I wouldn’t care if Trump had intimate relations with Madonna, it just needs to be in the public sphere so nobody in heaven’s name can blackmail him.
It really isn’t the prerogative of the Treasury Department to second guess the lawful request of Congress to hand over Trump’s tax returns. The law is actually quite clear, and not only does Mnuchin’s act constitute Contempt of Congress, winning their case should be a slam dunk for Congress in any non-politicized court. Of course, this is what Trump is ultimately depending on – a Republican Supreme Court – but, as Chief Justice Roberts has shown (as the new “swing vote”), a Trump win there is not as certain as it once seemed. That said, the preoccupation of Pelosi’s, acutely poll-conscious, Democratic House majority is definitely NOT with something as trivial as the rule of law. Above all things, Pelosi is determined that Democrats not to appear to be Blue Meanies, so while they’ll huff and puff, they will let it go - and let Trump slide yet again.
5
Judicial review by the Supreme Court should have been done in the 1920s/1930s if there were constitutional issues with this very unambiguous law. I don't see how this even belongs in the courts at this point.
1
The bottom line for me is that the American people have the right to know whether their president is conflicted. Especially for a businessman with extensive international financial business interests. If Trump didn't have anything to hide he would release his Tax Returns just so he could brag about how rich he is. Even if it takes years, Congress must fight this all the way to the Supreme Court. Our system of checks and balances must be preserved in order to protect our democracy.
6
To our leaders in the free world: Let the rule of law rule. Who really should care about what he or any other candidate or office holder makes on either side of the aisle. Be productive as our nation’s leaders and focus on what is best for our country. No wonder I hear of so much distrust for office holders because you spend more time pining about one another. My impression is that it’s all about strategy to win the next election. Instead of taking party lines, consult with your constituents and seek to understand and inform them. If you fail them, but give your honest and best effort, then you should have no shame or a guilty conscience, and as you observe the victor make the best effort after you, find a way to provide your support. Let your service be with dignity and principles. It’s clear to me that if each of our elected officials cared about their constituents first, we would all benefit from your example and more fully be a light to others.
1
This horrendous situation is fundamentally a real threat to the proscribed and lawful workings of our democracy, The Trump administration is now acting dangerously. We either have rule of law and co-equal branches of government or we revert to the workings of a banana republic. A President and his administration abridging Constitiona! rules and laws needs to be shown the door, period. Congress has the given authority to subpoena persons and information. That is simply the rule of law that historically governs us and which we are not given a choice about whether or not responding to, under any and all possible circumstances or to disregard or to preempt for a given or for any possible reason. Trumps disregard and contempt towards the legitimate role of Congress demonstrates he is unquestionably engaged in a full-on assault against rule of Constitutional law. Rule of Constitional aw has got to be enforced and upheld regardless of and temporal or political inconvenience. We are nothing if we don't abide by rules of law.
2
Ok, yeah, Trump should and must be held accountable for his finances, for the integrity of our country, but... we really already know what we'd find from them, thanks to the reporting of this very paper: the theft of about $500,000,000 from the government over his lifetime. That's like if you took a hundred people with $10 million dollars each, put them in a room, and then stole every cent they had off of every one of them. Then did it four more times.
Donald Trump has been committing since before he could even spell it, without hyperbole. He's not hiding his taxes because he knows of any specific criminal act in them. He's hiding his taxes because his entire life is literally one unbroken tale of criminality, and endlessly throwing sand in the gears of justice, adding more crimes to his record faster than the old ones can be read out, is seriously the only way he knows how to live.
We know all of this already. With evidence. We won't get any clearer call to action than we already have.
6
A few corrections to my post:
- First, my math was off by an order of magnitude. Imagine millionaires in rooms, not ten-millionaires.
- Second, I meant to say "Donald Trump has been committing *tax fraud* since before he could spell it." Whoops.
- Third, I forgot to include the link I was referencing: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html .
What a parade of errors. I hope my point still stands, for anyone who might read it.
Every Democrat, progressive, and sensible person should shout from every rooftop, over and over, “What are you afraid of? What are you hiding?” The message practically writes itself.
4
The Russian trolls here are pushing the nonsense Republican “Constitutional” theory of the imperial presidency. Comments like this and others stating that the three branches are not Co-equal. Utter nonsense. Time to reject the nonsense being peddled by right wing hacks.
7
What is he hiding? Trump has proclaimed he is innocent! I guess not. No one is above the law. Trump is a lying phony. He has dubious character. He needs to be removed from office. History will remember Trump as the worst President in American history.
1
Send these clowns to jail and watch them comply in no time.
2
Past time for Congress to cut off funding for Mnuchin and the IRS until the request is honored..
Send him a copy of our Constitution while you are at it. He obviously has no clue.
2
Steven Mnuchin, William Barr, and the rest of the white staff and cabinet are all one mistake away from being thrown under a bus by trump if the heat gets too hot for him.
This sorry crew has thrown their loyalty to a person who is loyal to only himself; ask Cohen, ask Stormy, ask the students of Trump University, ask Omarosa, ask the businesses and workers that trump stiffed, ask the bankrupt casinos...the list goes on.
Nothing he says can be believed. Nothing he does is for the greater public good.
1
Your 15-year-old daughter has a diary with a lock on it. You find the diary in her room. You suspect her of taking drugs and being in a sexual relationship with her boyfriend. You tell her you want to see the diary and to unlock it. She refuses. Her refusal reaches the height of hysteria. She threatens to call the police and take you to court to keep you from accessing the diary.
Is it just a wee bit possible she has something very negative to hide?
2
The head of the IRS needs to show some patriotism and deliver the returns directly, if need be in the dead of the night.
3
Of course the criminal tax evader Trump doesn’t want to release his returns. The NYT documented thoroughly that most of Trump’s foundational wealth came to him through a criminal tax evasion scheme orchestrated by his father Fred Trump, with his adult children as co-conspirators. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html
Just have FBI arrest Steven Mnuchin and put him in prison for violating the law, if it exists, and these people who believe that they are above the law may think a couple of times before they break the laws the rest of us have to follow. I frankly don't want a criminal as POTUS. I strongly believe that Trump is an accomplished criminal who says he is following the law. He is a proven liar and no one should believe anything he says. Many of our politicians are liars. That doesn't mean we let new politicians lie without accepting responsibility. Politicians who lie to the people are breaking the law or at least the intent of the law. Hold all elected officials and their dogs accountable.
3
Why doesn’t Congress New York State for Trump’s federal and state returns?
New York State tax returns require a copy of the federal return to accompany the state return.
I can only imagine that New York would turn them over with a simple request before any of Trump’s lawyers and other “Roy Cohns“ he appointed to frustrate justice could interfere.
It also seems likely that Mueller and his team had access, although they probably would not want to be involved.
Last, but not least, an enormous amount of financial transaction data is captured and stored in FINCEN, to which Congress should have easy access.
1
Aside from the fact so called adults are involved in a difference of opinion, this is like a schoolyard squabble.
As childish as the kids taunt of "liar liar pants on fire" goes it is clearly appropriate as the number of lies told by the President rounds up to over 10K. At some level it is unimaginable that anyone would lie so much in such short order. While at this point the lies of Mr Trump have not whipped up the same malevolence, the chants of his supporters indicate he is giving Mr Goebbles a run.
If this matter is accepted by the Supreme Court and they rule in the boss's favor our days as a Democracy or Republic or what ever concept we attach to freedom will be numbered in less than a decade.
Both sides of the aisle are playing games, but only one side is backing a proven liar
1
"congressional tax writing committees have broad authority to request the returns of any taxpayer"
But apparently not when that taxpayer is above the law. Apparently, he's to be treated as a sovereign.
So who here still doesn't grasp that this is all being mapped, timed, and orchestrated do it reaches the two Trump judge, conservative and partisan Supreme Court in time for the presidential campaign in full gear? They will side with Trump, and the Dems plan to use it for all its worth.
Trump has done what he has always has done, hide behind crooks, shady lawyers, and and other hucksters. It is time to expose him in daylight and show him to be what New Yorkers always knew. He is nothing but a cheap con.
What is going to take for 40% of America to realize that our Democracy is quickly eroding into a dictatorship, where laws apply to everyone except Trump?
Its time for the Democrats to put an end to the obfuscation by Trump and his lackeys. Its time to play hard ball and issue subpoenas.
Mnuchin seems to be trying to spin this into a Constitutional question, perhaps seeking to limit the application of 26 USC 6103 to everyone BUT the president.
Back in the day, Benjamin Franklin had a snuff box presented to him by King Louis XVI because of the fear it could taint the loyalty of the recipient. They were wise indeed back then, and very picky about this loyalty thing.
Now we have the mogul President, the guy staking his entire ego on his wealth-making prowess (setting aside his striking good looks and animal magnetism making him irresistible to women). We're way past snuff boxes. There have been real estate deals smelling of money laundering. There is a hotel in DC frequented by heads of state wishing to gain favorable treatment by the President. Obsequious deference to Putin. Loans from a notorious money laundering bank. Cash deals with Russian oligarchs. Long sought hotel deals in Moscow. The list is long and inscrutable.
Who, if not Congress, is to ferret out the details? Clearly not the Justice Department - they don't look into presidential misconduct.Are we to have an untouchable god-entity in the white house? I suspect the answer to that is yes while Republicans are in charge, then absolutely not under Democratic presidents.
Mnuchin's attempt to limit 26 USC 6103 makes no sense in the big picture. It eviscerates the ability of Congress to do its Article 1 oversight of the Executive department. Another short term thinking artifact of Trumpism.
If any citizen is pulled over for suspicious activity the police will bring in drug dogs to sniff around, check to see if a person is carrying large sums of cash and confiscate it at will. Trump has engaged in highly suspicious activity his entire life. He is a serial liar. Why shouldn’t his tax returns be examined? I can tell you if he was involved in a contentious divorce proceeding his tax returns would undergo a forensic audit. He has participated in much worse activity than a divorce proceeding. He is hiding the truth.
Mnuchin should be in prison if he has violated the law.
Does Mnuchin have any morals or ethics? He sure seems to be betraying the United States people.
A Secretary of the Treasury makes a judgment and a derived decision which may or may not be upheld in court.If he is right in his action he is simply doing what he was selected to do; carrying out a range of daily role responsibilities. If his decision is wrong, and perhaps even knowingly wrong, he should be held personally accountability. How likely is this to happen in a culture which continues to enable, even to promote, personal unaccountability? The list of elected and selected personally unaccountable policymakers, at all levels of local, state and national governments is “epidemic” in its numbers who are “infected,” as well as being sources of the spread of this chronic poli-eco-socio condition! Enabled by all too many ordinary folk. All over. Not just in mantrafied virtual DC swamps. For some, shamelessness is an additional dimension. And all of this is enabled and allowed to flourish as some people in this divided nation of diverse peoples pray and others continue to prey on people at risk. Harm, by words and deeds, and prey on democratic values, norms and ethics. On necessary types, levels and qualities of mutual civility, trust, respect, caring, help and derived, sustainable menschlichkeit.
1
The President is not required to release his tax returns, JFK certainly did not. What are the accusations to force the IRS to release the records of a sitting President? None, its a political fishing exhibition. What is the evidence to force the IRS to release the records of a sitting President? There is none. After it has become clear that the left media and Democrats have been trying to grind everything to a halt over a Russian collusion hoax (initiated and paid for by Democrats) they want to jump right into another wild goose chase? Its wise of the DOJ and IRS to take the position that these political abuses by the Democrats shouldn't be normalized. At what point do the Democrats actually start to do something for us instead of attacking a sitting President?
1
@A Rebours well said, Ivan.
1
Mnuchin just keeps proving how unqualified he is for his position. Isn’t there a law that says Congress can ask for the tax returns? But as with trump, Mnuchin seems to believe that rules do not apply to him. Enough with trump’s dictatorship, get the tax returns and any other documents, enforce all subpoenas. The democrats in Congress are doing what is right, let’s give them our full support. Protect the country, not trump and his minions.
1
Trump, McConnell, Mnuchin, Barr change the rules when the rules don’t suit them. The danger in this behavior is beyond obvious. Sounds like it’s time to hoard canned goods, batteries and candles. The seeds of anarchy or revolution are being sown. My heart breaks.
This isn't really about Trump's taxes anymore. This is about whether a President and his administration can simply ignore the law of the land... and his oath of office to uphold the Constitution.
If Trump is allowed to get away with defying the law, then the next President –whether Republican or Democrat– will be worse.
Perhaps, much worse.
1
Has anyone considered the possibility that the President has not actually filed any tax returns in recent times?
2
What is Trump hiding? What has Mnuchin been promised? Is Trump really going to go to war with Iran, perhaps? Nothing is impossible as we have seen the country looted into a weakened state.
See the NYT of 03/14/17 to see Trump's 2005 tax return.
That return shows that Trump paid $38million in tax on reported income of $150million.
Hope this helps.
Two things:
1. I don't know why we have two legal systems in this country. If you are a regular person who breaks the law, no matter what it is, you get arrested and pay the consequences. If you in government or a white-collar criminal there is this back and forth of legalese that takes over the process. The law doesn't get any clearer in this case and Mnuchin isn't complying. Therefore he's breaking the law.
2. As surprised as I am to say this about our relatively dim president, the media and general public continually overestimate him. He's not bright enough for grand conspiracies nor does employ any strategy, ever. He may be involved in some financial crimes, but I doubt it's anything more severe than the average person born into wealth. What Trump really cares about are the lies he tells himself and the general public about his financial acumen and ability. He doesn't release his tax returns because it will be clear he isn't rich as he says. He obstructed the special counsel investigation because Russia helped him win an election. Everything Trump does is related to the myth he's created for himself. He's a national embarrassment to over half the country, and he doesn't ever want to be embarrassed in front of the 30-35% of his core supporters.
4
Deutsche Bank has seen the "under audit" tax returns, and accepted their accuracy for loans totaling hundreds of millions in dollars. How could tax returns be good enough for a loan of that amount, but not be good enough for voluntarily release to the public?
There's something fishy with his tax returns.
17
Meanwhile if you or I merely apply for a co-op or condominium we are often required to show OUR tax returns.
10
People have to hand over their tax returns all the time. Honest business people have nothing to hide. I think this is an issue that most Americans can agree on; show the tax returns. Why not?
Trump didn't say he wouldn't he said he couldn't because he was in the middle of an audit.
This is a weak link. We should be able to see if there are conflicts of interest.
Democrats need to go to court if that's what it takes.
7
@Sharon
An apparently never ending audit.
Of course refusing to release tax returns is a concern to Trump - anyone with a clear conscience would do it without batting an eye. But now I'm more worried that this fight over releasing his tax returns will be challenged by Mnuchin until it gets all the way up to the SCOTUS, who are already impossibly bent to the right these days.
Needless to say, it should be 100% required of ALL candidates running for public office - and especially for ones tossing their hats in the ring to be POTUS - to release at least 7 years of tax returns. It may not matter to some people, but I like to know what my candidates do or already have done to make this country a better place. Are they charitable? Are they really capable of handling the complicated finances of this country and are they pulling their weight in paying taxes, which in turn helps this country pay for needed services for all?
As we see now, Trump, indeed most billionaires and corporations run by industry titans are not paying their fair share and Republicans in power are all too happy to sit on their hands while continuing to allow our Democracy to erode. I say, get the tax returns, but be careful doing so - we Dems need as much support as we can get in 2020. Another four years of Trump WOULD definitely wreck the already-delicate state of our union.
6
House Dems seem to have little recourse outside a protracted court battle, which would allow Trump to play victim to his ill-informed base. Understanding that much of our federal law enforcement reports to Mnuchin, Barr and Trump, are there other options (national guard, state law enforcement?) that could be used to bring these secretaries under custody until they agree to obey the law? Realizing that the Senate has a role in federal budgeting, could the House refuse or rescind funding for all or portions of DoJ or Treasury favored by Trump's kleptocracy until those Departments perform their legal responsibilities? It's not going to work for the nation if we continue to have one part of government acting as if laws matter and another acting unlawfully. Dems need to start thinking outside the box.
7
Mnuchin is as much of a public servant as was Spiro Agnew, and deserves a similar fate. There is no interest here with fact, truth, fairness or justice, besides which, the decision to refuse the request was not in his power to make.
5
Trump gets to keep his (non-)Tax filings from ever seeing the light of day. Perversely, the Taxpayer First Act of 2019, coming before the US Senate, would not allow Citizens to file directly on online forms. All Tax info of ordinary Citizens is given to corporate groups online, where parts of that info is sold to highest bidders. Call your Senators!
2
Anyone who says that they cannot provide Trumps tax returns because there is no legislative reason to do so is denying the fact that there is a more important reason behind this demand. It is to preserve our democracy which is being quickly usurped by someone with criminal intentions. He has always been operating just barely inside the law and often outside of it. Just because he is President should not prevent a thorough investigation into his taxes and public disclosure s it would any other criminal. He promised them to us before the election. It is long overdue. Give us the returns. If he has nothing hide his tax returns will show that. He owes it to us. Time is up. He cannot run rough shod over our laws and deny that he is answerable to them. We must insist. Legislative cause has NOTHING to do with this. Furthermore, those who shield him should be vulnerable to charges of aiding and abetting in crimes against this country.
6
Frumpy has deceived us repeatedly by promising to release his tax returns and then reneging. He has used the trump foundation money to pay business expenses in New York state. Obviously illegal. That alone should enable Letitia James, the New York State Attorney General to investigate his businesses and his tax returns. New York may require that federal returns be included with state returns. California state tax rules can differ from US federal tax rules. California form asks me to file a copy of federal return with my state return on April 15th.
2
This is a pretty transparent pretext by the Democrats, and would be considered an abuse of power during a different time.
Is the Committee chairman willing to put up a bond and be personally liable when the returns leak? If so then maybe Trump would consider it.
3
There can be no simplistic claim for Trump to enjoy privacy when his financial entanglements are at the root of concern about his dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia, et al.
The emolument clause is part of our Constitution to protect America from undue foreign influence. If a president or any high government official is indebted to hostile nations, decisions are compromised, policies skewed.
If Trump simply fears being humiliated when exposed as a failed business man & a bogus 'billionaire'- he may deserve 'privacy' but that can be ascertained in closed session!
Trump has legitable reasons like any private business people have about revealing the sources of income, expenses and taxes. But, Trump with his own statements such as trusting Putin over our own intelligence agencies caused serious concerns to Congress that certain foreign countries may be blackmailing him or he may be favoring certain countries over others for personal financial gains creating adversarial effect on the United States. So, the request for his tax returns. Supreme Court should act on it expeditiously to force the IRS to handover the requested documents to Congress ASAP. Otherwise, Congress looses oversight authority. The President tearing up the constitution instead of protecting it as he has taken oath. Without taking that oath, he would not have been the president.
A commenter asks (apparently seriously):
"Can the House pass legislation that requires presidents henceforth to disclose their personal finance?"
Any federal law requires majority approval by both houses of Congress (2/3 if the President fails to sign the approved bill).
I think this battle will eventually wind up in the Supreme Court which will side with Trump by a vote of 5 to 4. Elections have consequences including the Supreme Court appointments made by the President.
2
A commenter points out:
"There is no mention of a 'legislative purpose,' in IRC Section 6103. Agreed, though I think Mnuchins's legal argument is a bit more sophisticated. The US Constitution only grants EXPRESS powers, and Congress' powers derive from just two sources:
1. The power to pass laws.
2. The power to impeach.
Many commenters have conjured up some general "oversight" power of Congress, but they've just made that up. The Constitution says nothing about that, as I have no doubt Congress' lawyers understand.
That said, it's pretty easy for Congress to cite some "legislative purpose," or to declare that it needs Trump's tax returns to determine whether he ought to be impeached. IRC Section 6103 doesn't require Congress to justify its demand, but Mnuchin may well be basing his argument on the limited powers of Congress under the Constitution. If he is, though, it should be very easy for Congress to come up with some justification for its demand; I'd state that justification in very general terms, and tee up the question for the Supreme Court. Frankly, I think Neal would win there, probably unanimously.
All Trump/Mnuchin really have to hang their hats on is the argument that the House committee involved is required under Section 6103 to examine Trump's tax returns in a closed executive session, which presumably means no staff members are allowed.
3
I’m not exactly sure what you’ve said here, sounds like a gross oversimplification.
If you read the US constitution, it lays out the responsibilities, and powers, of our three branches of government.
The two items you’ve cited above, legislate and impeach are not the source of congress’ powers.
There’s some tiny, little other powers; like fiscal appropriations, oversight & investigation, advise & consent on presidential nominations, as well as many others that are well within the purview of the legislative branch.
Mnuchin never should have been confirmed, based solely on the totality of his lifetime deeds. He is of unfit character.
This is what happens when one branch of the federal government doesn’t do it’s job.
So ... we’ll just let the “Teflon Don” off the hook one more time. If civil rights violations weren’t enough to disqualify him from being president, why should financial crimes be a reason?
So this was better than the Monarchy, eh?
No wonder you're so desperate to feel like you're 'part of the family' again with Megan Markle. Your country is such a mess you probably wish you had the Queen back.
1
@Flossy
Yeah, and Canada seems to be doing OK too, having missed out on little things like slavery and the Civil War and about a dozen pointless wars that followed. Makes you wonder what it was all for, hot dogs on the 4th of July?
Time to put Mnuchin in jail.
6
Well, guess we know who's next on the Contempt of Congress list. Shoot. And my money had been on Mick Mulvaney.
1
Mnunchin might be believable had his friend Donald not settled up for defrauding his own customers at his fake U.
He had to fork over 29 million.
He should have been thrown out that day.
5
Per the NYTs 1/19/2017- When Mnuchin was Treasury Nominee, he failed to disclose $100 Million in assets and initially failed to disclose that he was director of Dune Capital International Inc in the Cayman Islands. In his testimony, he struggled to answer questions about his use of tax havens as a hedge fund manager and when asked if he was using Cayman Islands corporations to avoid taxation he said “Let me just be clear again: I did not use a Cayman Islands entity in any way to avoid paying taxes for myself.”
I have read that statement many times and get stuck on that last word. What is the legal definition of “myself?” Is a trust or a corporation “myself”. Someone else is clearly not “myself”.
Mnuchin’s testimony in 2017 made it crystal clear to me that we’d never see any Trump tax returns nor any substantial or full financial disclosures from the Trump Administration.
As they say “Follow the Money”... if you can.
6
Time to stop pandering to these wannabe dictators ... start sending them to jail.
9
Oh yeah? Well, unfortunately, they are the ones in charge of law enforcement in this country.
The lack of ethics in these republicans is astounding. Such corruption.
13
Send marshals to arrest Barr and Mnuchin. Let us finally see how our police, our military, and our courts stand in this battle of the Constitution of the United States vs. the Republican party. Further let us see if the Fox news crowd and the Trump voters will fight, or like the cowardly traitors they are, remain mired in cheese whiz and beer, thumping their kitchen tables.
6
What I don't get is, taking the executive branch as SEPARATE from Lindsey Graham, Mitch MCconnel, etc. in the sense of the see no/hear no/speak no "senate", if DJT can not/will not do his job as described in the Constitution as well as over 250 years of precedent, why do we have to act on what he thinks and says?
IOW, you HAVE to walk the walk or in my book you're illegitimate.
And if you, at the end of the day, have to be TOLD by advisors and lawyers what to do in-between tweets and burning a hole in your "brain" watching Fox News, what is really the point? House arrest would not only be appropriate, it should be necessary. I'm a broken record on this point, but what is our situation in regards to national security, never mind his financial records which he can't let anyone see (they keep his returns in a separate vault at the I.R.S. in a secret underground room no doubt). I am so fed up with this so-called "conservative" party- this is a total sham. The democrats at bare minimum are equally (if not more) powerful than the GOP, who are trying to follow the rule book. All this polite talk about "our friends on the other side of the aisle" when dem's have something to say is driving me nuts. You want "the base" to listen to you, try getting nasty, call them some names based on their flip-flops (Graham would be a real "cracker" to start with).
I thought he said Trump was an embarrassment, and worse. That was BEFORE "somebody" did him some "favors". Get tough with these guys!
2
Dear NYT:
Please link your previous investigation of the Trump construction companies and their manipulations to this article. It provides so much context to the House investigation and explains the motivations for dodging scrutiny.
Judge Maryanne Trump Barry's returns need to be included to better understand the President's.
Also, the Treasury Secretary is not just protecting President Trump, he is trying to hide a whole culture of super-wealthy evasions as explained in Harrington's book Capital Without Borders and more recently, in Oliver Bullough's MoneyLand. This is what Goldman Sach clients do and Mnuchin is protecting the client base of his old company.
This is about protecting a whole elite echelon of society. An extended conversation about Trump's tax returns will force a conversation about the US role in international corruption.
5
"What guilty people do for $500, Alex."
7
This is a Federal Crime, plain and simple. This law doesn't have ANY wiggle room, no justification that is allowed. The courts will either say we are a Nation of Laws (which goes back to Hammurabi) or a Nation of Men, an autocracy, a banana republic. How many judges and justices will stand for the Law and not Trump's breaking of it?
Mnuchin is now a criminal. Barr is now a criminal. And they are directed by Trump who has always been a criminal--and told us so in the campaign. "I could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a single vote." "Grab 'em by the ....."
Both are criminal acts he brags about committing or being able to commit with no retribution.
Is he right? Or is he wrong?
9
How far have we fallen? #45 wants to be President for Life!
No wonder our best will not work for him. All are second and third rate around him at this time. Is our Supreme Court in his vest pocket?
6
arrest him. Let the Justice Department SAY they won't prosecute. Force their hand.
10
"I'm increasingly ambivalent about the approach Democrats are taking to win back the white house."
This seems to be the prevalent thinking, and mine too. If the Democratic strategy is to win back the White House, that strategy appears to be failing. But if the objective is simply to keep Trump from doing anything, that strategy appears to be working quite well. Though there's a great deal of talk about taking back the White House in 2020, the reality seems to be that the Democratic Party has all but given up in that election. If I were the DP, I'd give up too -- on the 2020 election, that is. But the Democratic strategy of blocking Trump at every turn seems to be working, and I suspect he'll revert to the time-honored tradition of ruling by "executive order" in his second term. No new laws, but he'll seek to exercise whatever power he has under existing laws (just as Obama did, and as has every two-term President).
1
Apparently Secretary Mnuchin has not read the US Constitution. But of course, his unswerving devotion to a boss who appears to have a great deal to obfuscate and to hide might just be entering in to his decision. Seeing President Trump's tax returns is completely in line with the oversight function of Congress who have ample reason to be concerned that business decisions and profit making endeavors drive the President's thinking far more than policy making considering history, contemporary dynamics, unintended consequences of actions, and ultimate charge to govern in ways that protect the country and uphold the constitution. Big zero for Trump in that regard. Let's see the tax returns. If everything is on the up and up that is just fine and life goes on.
8
No one is above the law. Not Trump, not Munchkin. He defied the law, lock him up.
11
Mnuchin knows where real power resides and knows all snubs of House Democrats carries no consequence.
Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to 21st Century authoritarian rule in America.
All it took was a quick to grab President vested with enormous power-- and he took it-- and a feckless Congress and front loaded Judiciary... and there you have it.
I see no way out but the more hopeful can pray for miracles. Good luck hoping Dems find a way to resist... no signs.
5
A self promoting narcissistic like President Trump not releasing his taxes? What is he hiding? High debt? Income and net worth not reflective of the wealth he wishes to project?
I think it’s safe to say Trump Inc. is on the verge of insolvency and that the difference this time from the last time he was at this point is that no bank will loan him money and no financial house will float bonds on a Trump debt. Russia and China on the other hand might buy that debt for leverage to weaken our country.
8
Mnuchin, let us recall, neglected to mention $100 million in his disclosure documents, calling it an "oversight". We should all have such oversights. Like Trump, he is the epitome of greed and having gotten his tax cut still stays on, because he's got his own dirty laundry with Russia to hide.
15
Like all of his heros Trump plans to remain in power till his death and no voting real or Russian will remove him so long as we pay his room and board, green fees, and travel around the world on a real shuttle. Trump is sure that he has enough players in the proper positions to achieve, with Russian financing and cyber hacking another few years above the law!
7
I do not know if the Democrats are on solid legal ground to see Trump's tax returns. If they are, they should pursue it to the bitter end--the Supreme Court. If they are not, they should propose and pass a legislation making it mandatory for all House of Representatives, Senate and presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns when they file to be a candidate. When there are 17 lobbyists per congressman and senator roaming around Washington to rig the system for their clients, we have every right to know if our representatives are working for us or for the rich and powerful.
There is no question that Trump, being a pathological liar and cheater, has cheated on his taxes. That is why he is fighting nail and teeth not to release his taxes and using all kinds of flimsy excuses (e.g., being under audit).
4
We have this too-good-to be true economic data. Record low unemployment, low inflation, increased wages. With Mnuchin being Trump's body guard, I'm now wondering is he cooking the books?!?! Can he somehow interfere with these unbelievably great numbers coming out of Treasury?
5
His investments in so many foreign countries alone would show his MAGA is a mega lie and major mythology. He now acts the role of untouchable autocrat above all rule of law and order. In the eyes of the GOP - Russia is friend and Democrats the foe. We are in the age of world oligarchs and corporate power destroying democracy. Tax returns would be reality in what is now a post-truth culture of dystopian rule. But Congress should fight for them all the more.
4
I think the truth is that Trump is the very definition of the fabled "welfare queen." I don't know why so many think that we will find any truth in his tax returns, or that we will see who he is beholden to, as if criminals report laundered money on their tax returns. No, what we will find is that Trump receives a refund because he reports a personal loss, while claiming to be a billionaire.
The reason you get caught for not filing your taxes is because your employer filed taxes claiming they paid you. Russia doesn't file a US tax return.
5
But all real estate investors lists their debts and lenders on their returns. That is how they end up paying little to no taxes on their income. His returns would show who finances his operations. And believe me when I say, whoever finances your business, calls the shots!
Does the Constitution authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to determine for the legislative branch which of that branch's activities are legislative and which not? Is Congress now just a lackey to one of the President's lackeys?
Seems so.
4
This is all political gamesmanship and a waste of valuable time. What is it with this fascination of tax returns and making them public? It’s none of your or my business. It’s between the tax payer and the IRS. I’m not defending the President but this is ridiculous. In the meantime real problems are not being addressed as Congress wastes all its time trying to oust the President. He’s only got one year left and it’s over. Get over it and move on. Solve climate change, healthcare, and the ever growing chasm between rich and poor. Forget the tax returns.
1
@Mike L
Read the NY Times article from a few months ago investigating the fraudulent activity in transferring the estate of Fred Trump to his children. Massive. Blatant.
Who knows what Trump's tax returns would show?
This demand for tax returns of Presidents or Presidential candidates is fairly new. JFK, for example, never released his tax returns.
Would Trump's tax returns show he's not really a billionaire? Maybe -- frankly, I couldn't care less. I do note that his 2016 financial disclosure showed he'd made $600 million the year before, which suggests a sizable starting amount.
But, again, who cares? The critical time is BEFORE someone is elected, and so the disclosure requirements should focus on the disclosures required of candidates. It's too late once somebody has been elected.
@MyFourCents
Unfortunately, the subject in question has indicated he will run again. Bring on those taxes.
3
@MyFourCents
"...his 2016 financial disclosure showed he'd made $600 million the year before"
Trump also claimed repeatedly that 58-story Trump Tower was 80 stories tall.
There is another election in 2020.
Anyone care to wager on how the SCOTUS will rule on this? Feels like we have front row seats for the slow-motion end of America.
5
Of course its political in nature . . . and after three years Democrats still can't believe Hillary lost the election. Energy would be better spent on legislation, the Country is growing weary of continued bickering.
@T. Applegate
So in your view, because Clinton lost, Trump should be permitted to run roughshod over all Americans and get away with it?
"[Mnuchin] has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying."
As well they should be.
6
Here's the law (26 USC 6103) :
(f) Disclosure to Committees of Congress
(1) Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Finance, and Joint Committee on Taxation
Upon written request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish such committee with any return or return information specified in such request, except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
End of citation. There is no mention of a "legislative purpose," Mnuchin's supposed reason for witholding Trump's return. The three committees mentioned need only request the returns in writing. Other committees must cite a reason; not these three. Case closed.
At this point, Mnuchin and the IRS secretary are in violation of federal statute. There is no conceivable interpretation justifying their position. They must therefore suffer the legal consequences of their unlawful act: prosecution. There should be no hesitation. Contempt of Congress charges, and federal felony charges. Hardball time.
9
Bravo Steven! Tax returns are private by law. You don't relinquish that privacy on the ground that you're president. As the Democrats keep saying, nobody is above the law. Or below it.
@Eddie
Any theories on what is so shameful in those taxes that he refuses to allow Americans to see them, contrary to tradition of the past four decades?
@Eddie
He's definitely below.
Uh, not true.
Everyone who gets a Top Secret clearance and has staff access to a secure US government facility is required to have filled out a full financial disclosure packet.
Investigators have the right to pull tax returns if, as in DJT’s case there are discrepancies in that disclosure.
Nobody forced the “Teflon Don” to run, he chose that path himself. Now he gets to deal with the quid pro quo.
Sorry!
Hasn’t anyone told Trump’s treasury secretary that if Congress wants to see Trump’s tax returns it’s not his call to make?
8
The law is quite clear, so Mnuchin offers up a rather weak excuse for non-compliance. I wonder if (and worry that) Team Trump will devise a Treasury version of unitary power of the President. For example, the Article 2 powers are so broad that whatever the President chooses to ignore cannot be challenged by anyone, lest he be subject to forces that would diminish his ability to discharge his Article 2 mandates.
It could happen.
2
You give up a certain right to privacy when you ask to become president. If you don't agree to that, then don't run. There are aspects of your personal life that should be off limits, but your taxes paid is not one of them. We all have to pay taxes as Americans, are you paying your fair share as you direct the rest of us to do so?
4
Anyone who runs for any public office should, by law, be required to release their: financial (including tax), legal and health records. No exceptions.
5
But currently there is no law so what now? I doubt one percent of the commenters here tonight have actually downloaded and sifted through any candidates taxes. And if they did, what percent are actually CPA’s who know what it all means. The harassment of Trump on this petty stuff needs to end or he will destroy the dems next year. Get an agenda or enjoy being in the wilderness again.
"He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying. " And so, what's his point? The voters are the employers of lawmakers, and their financial records SHOULD be subject to scrutiny.
17
Forget about 2020. It's already done. Democrats don't see it for the same reason they didn't see 2016. 2024 will be their earliest chance. But that's on the assumption that Obama's role in the 2016 debacle, what he knew and when he knew it, remains hidden. And I wouldn't count on it. If I were a democrat, I would forget about elections for the foreseeable future and keep my eyes focused on staying out of jail.
No one, and I mean no one with a high clearance has a right to expect privacy. One of the checks for a Top Secret clearance is your tax returns. It gets even stiffer for compartmentalized access. Since the president's clearance must be among the highest in the land, someone has to have oversight of him. Constitutionally, that someone(s) is/are Congress. Take away his clearance based on: (1) lewd and lascivious behavior documented in the Mueller report and transcripts of the Cohen testimonies and trial; (2) close association with enemies of the United States before his "election" and clearance; (3) refusal to cooperate with lawful authorities; (4) travel to adversarial nations before he was president. All of these are causes for denial and revoking of high clearances. I could probably build a bigger list but these comments do not allow a dictionary of the crimes this president has, or has likely, committed. Those four items should make a good start for denying him further access to intelligence and other sensitive information and put the Munchkin in his box, maybe, even kick him out as an accessory during and after the fact.
11
I bet that if the Congress succeeded in obtaining those returns the forms will have been redacted...permanently.
1
This is a transparent pretext that’s essentially an abuse of power. Is there any recourse when Trump’s returns are leaked by the committee?
If the chairman agreed to be personally liable, put up a bond, and agree to jail time when the leak occurs then maybe Trump would consider it.
2
'He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying.'
Ah yes...why shouldnt the world's largest democracy entail transparency of earnings of their elected as a right of the electorate?
10
I’m pleased that Trump is “resisting” this Congressional harassment.
He made clear during the 2016 campaign that he would not release his returns.
The media was outraged, but the voters elected him anyway.
A tax return is a confidential document, and the House, which is not really a co-equal branch of government to the Executive, even though that’s the recent talking point, has no valid reason to break that confidentiality.
I hope this goes to court and spends months or years working its way to the top, where the court will find for the Executive.
1
@MR
actually there is an entirely valid reason to see those taxes. for starters the sources of his loans might reveal potential conflicts of interest in his dealings with,um, certain countries. Do you not think voters deserve such information or do you prefer being kept in shadows. Also, during the campaign he said he couldn’t release the taxes because they were under audit. Turns out there’s nothing preventing someone under audit from releasing taxes. Oops! Time to come up with a new excuse.
3
@MR Which part of the Constitution did you not bother reading...or understanding? The government is divided into three co-equal branches: executive, courts, and congress. The House is part of the congressional branch, so is indeed "really" a co-equal branch. Is it clear now?
My guess is not that we will find shady activities in Trump’s tax returns, but rather the fact that real estate investment is a completely legal tax shelter under the Internal Revenue Code. With interest deductions, depreciation deductions, write offs of tangible property, most real estate investments have great cash flow with little or no tax paid. Add to that the ability to exchange into another property without paying tax and the new qualified business income deduction for pass through entities, and he could go through life without paying a dime of tax.
1
Plain and simple: Trump is a liar, cheat, and fraud. His income returns will show this. Hence the need to hide them. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded. Period.
21
Mnuchin's blatant disregard for the law is outrageous. It's been too personally painless for Barr to just not show up to testify in the House and now for Mnuchin to give a lame excuse for refusing a lawful request. Before this gets out of hand, Democrats need to make an example of these two.
The Democrats should hold Barr and Mnuchin in contempt. I know I do.
15
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/6103
In all of this, I'm kind of surprised that Trump hasn't asked for random people's tax returns. I can totally see him trying to figure out if Jack Dorsey's net worth was higher than his or similar. It sounds like he has the legal right ...
(1) In general - Upon written request by the President, signed by him personally, the Secretary shall furnish to the President, or to such employee or employees of the White House Office as the President may designate by name in such request, a return or return information with respect to any taxpayer named in such request.
2
This doesn't look good, what's being hidden? It appears that the present so-called "POTUSA" is frightened of some nefarious deals in his past and present life. What?
5
The law is clear here. Specifically, Section 6103(f)(1) of the IRC provides that, upon written request of the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, the Treasury Secretary “shall furnish” the requested tax returns or return information to the relevant committee.
Not that it changes anything, tax return information received under 6103(f)(1) or (f)(2) may only be provided when the requesting committee is “in closed executive session.” Thus, concerns about public release are moot.
When the Executive branch decides to ignore the law, there are likely to be consequences. Depending on how you read this, Mnuchin is just blowing smoke since he is not directly in charge of the IRS. Alternatively, he is already in contempt of Congress and about to commit a federal felony. If Neal decides to go nuclear, I believe Mnuchin can be arrested.
8
“As you have recognized, the committee’s request is unprecedented..."
~~~~~
The opposite is true. This law was written 95 years ago. This is the first time that the IRS has not complied with it.
11
Trumps tax returns will never see the light of day in Washington
The level of corruption in this administration is ludicrous.
Lock them all up.
9
Mnuchin said that the demand amounted to “exposure for the sake of exposure.”
Wrong. It is for the sake of national security. Why does Trump consistently agree with Putin? What does he owe to Putin that is more important than the oath that Trump took to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic?
23
This is just one more thing in the long laundry list of information that the Trump administration is refusing to release. Let's see..............They don't want Deutsche Bank to release information. They don't want Mueller to testify. They don't want Don McGahn to testify. They don't want immigration officials to testify about the conditions for asylum seekers. They don't want the people in charge of vetting for security clearances to testify to clarify poor decisions on who should see sensitive intelligence. They don't want to release scientific information about climate change, by suppressing it. They don't want to release the entire Mueller report to the congress(despite the fact that they have security clearances to see it.) Those are only a few.
Time for them to go. 2020 can't come soon enough to weed out the corruption going on here.
27
Trump's stonewalling of legitimate Congressional oversight is his latest efforts operate without checks and balances. His unified stance, of refusing ALL requests for documents and interviews is without precedent. He is acting like he is a King, not subject to any review. This is more than unacceptable, it is time for strong action. Perhaps Trump hopes to be re-elected before the court rulings require him to cooperate. At that point, he would likely ignore the Court. He is used to ignoring the law, it is what he has done all his life.
15
Whatever he's hiding, its clearly horrible.
20
In the game of politics, It comes down to the point that Trump not releasing his tax returns has the same effect on the opposition as Obama not releasing his birth certificate. It distracts the opposition from the real issues.
1
@Qcell
Couldn't disagree with you more. Trump's financial entanglements could well influence his governmental decisions. The fake issue (flogged heavily by Trump) of Obama's birth certificate is nothing like that. Where is the corruption potential there? Please!
2
Clearly Trump is hiding something, but I'm increasingly ambivalent about the approach Democrats are taking to win back the white house. Obtaining Trump's tax returns, or impeaching him seem more likely to alienate voters than recruit new voters. There are deep divisions within the Democratic party that need to be resolved. Stop obsessing about Trump and get your own house in order so you can beat him at the polls in 2020.
87
@Leo
Nope, you’re incorrect. Congress needs to follow the laws of this nation. We have a system of Checks and Balances in this country. The House Judiciary Committee is doing what it is supposed to be doing and that is checking Trump. I don’t see why anyone would be alienated by having Trump be checked.
60
@Leo It's not Congress's job to consider what may alienate voters. That's not why we elceted them. They are there to, among other things, hold the president accountable. What the vioters like and what you're ambivalent about is not their concern (or mine, frankly). And both parties should get their 'house' in order (a pity there aren't more parties) regularly, which is not mutually exclusive from making sure the most unpopular president in US history isn't in fact a criminal.
43
@Homer
Yes some will be alienated and they are going to feel "alienated" if Trump isn;t elected agains, or if and when he is prosecuted for any fraud ( or obstruction). We just cannot rest the country's future on their feelings..
22
Indict Mnuchin.
It is not his job to determine "legitimate purposes" of the House Ways and Means Committee.
It it goes to SCOTUS, so be it. Let SCOTUS declare its allegiance: Law or the Republican Party.
15
If Mnuchin believes the Committee on Ways and Means chairman is required to provide him a written explanation for tax returns, he should cite the rule.
26 USC 6103(f)(1) requires no explanation from certain chairmen, including the Committee on Ways and Means chairman, who request (and in this case requested) tax returns from the IRS. Per 6103(f)(3), the written explanation only applies to chairmen NOT listed in 6103(f)(1).
11
@AAA Agree. I see nothing in Section 6103 that would require an explanation of the legislative purpose Neal intends to pursue.
3
Nothing can come out that will erode Trump's support among the faithful.
There is no information that cannot be spun in a way that makes Trump look 'not smart', and 'not the victim'.
The best hope are state prosecutors who are not under the control of the President or his minions.
5
It bothers me that whatever political or legal process that comes next will be time consuming. Why can't Mnuchin be held in contempt of Congress? With what is at stake to our nation, I would like to see the legal process fast-tracked. You'd think the Democrats could make that argument. Otherwise, in the future, it may become the case that no Congress can ever get the President's tax returns. They just need to stall, wait to be sued, wait for the Courts, and hope that the Congress turns to another party while everything is dragged out.
5
We are now about to learn the extent of our first dictator's power. If Barr "prohibits" Mr. Mueller from testifying, or if Mnuchin does not permit the release of Trump's tax records, these matters should most certainly go to the Supreme Court. But it is there that Trump appears to have five votes to rubber stamp any decision he makes.
So far, the Supreme Court has been sickeningly deferential to Trump. Consider the "Muslim ban" which the Court permitted with literally no factual evidence to support Trump's claim that it was needed for our nation's safety. The Court deferred to Trump's judgment alone, requiring no corroboration for Trump's patently false claims. This sounds like a dictatorship to me.
Neither Mnuchin or Barr believe they should be representing all of us, this nation's citizens. Rather, they both agree that their sole function is to hide evidence of Trump's criminal conduct, and to act as his persona consiglieres. Both men have shown as much, by the continuing stream of lies they have made, some of which Barr made under oath to the Senate.
The fact is, without Trump's tax records, or Mr. Mueller's testimony, Trump's power will be absolute. He will know that he answers for nothing and to no one. He will know that his actions are only limited by his imagination and the laws of physics. Providing this information is about much more than the documents or testimony themselves. It is a test to determine whether or not Trump's dictatorship is complete.
22
I don’t know why a matter of this importance should take years. This is all about the honesty of our government and the longevity of our country as we know it. So, right to the Supreme Court.
202
@DavidJ
And after SCOTUS rules 9-0 in favor of Congress, but Trump still says no, what then?
3
@DavidJ Huh? Honesty of our government, did you not see what happened over the past two years?
1
@ImagineMoments, the FBI will arrest Mnuchin. the court will issue a warrant and Mnuchin will be a very sorry individual, like Cohen, for taking all the heat and prison. trump again will have another lackey take the fall for him.
6
"may have lasting consequences for all taxpayers..." Isn't it wonderful now, every taxpayer is President and their tax file is threatened by taxpayers wanting to know what Donald filed.
2
Can the House pass legislation that requires presidents henceforth to disclose their personal finance?
Asking for a friend.
...Honest question, though.
3
@Dan
I think it’s already on the docket.
3
State of WA already passed legislation so that anyone on ballot has already released tax returns.
It's past time to stop playing nice and sue over every denial of lawful requests.
8
The Evader in Chief doesn't want his scams to become public knowledge, it seems. His 70 million dedicated white worshipers will love him all the more for it.
11
Impeach Mnuchin. If Democrats fail to do this, they will allow an unprecedented breach of constitutional balance of powers to live on...
10
So now trump and his cabinet can break any law they don’t like?
11
Trump.Supposed billionare most probably paid very little taxes,Hewould be embarrassed if report came out.
6
Its all, at least, being clearly written finally. As Max Boot put it in the Washington Post om May 3rd, we are "at the mercy of a criminal administration".
Yes, indeed, we are. Trump will, actually, have to fight to stay in power with every corrupt bone in his body. Today, of course, United States Prosecutors, more than 400 Republicans and Democrats- imagine that number- 400-- signed a letter contending that Trump would be indicted on Federal charges involving obstruction of justice were he not President.
In effect, then, and without much doubt, out country is being run by the likes of Al Capone, John Gotti, Bernie Madoff, and on and on.
We are beyond the right time to Impeach this man. Indeed, Impeachment would help weaken the Republican Stonewall.
Trump's policies, of course, are also fully disgusting, almost an act of war against the common man, with Climate Change eventually exacting revenge on Trump and his ilk, but not soon enough apparently.
We have been conned and are now being run (into the ground?) by criminals. The whole lot of them. Impeach.
12
There is a historical image which comes to mind: various suffragettes standing daily for months along the White House fence asking for President Wilson for the right to vote. These women were taunted and heckled and jailed. Since DJT became president, we Americans have been asking for his tax returns in a multitude of ways. Those who stand up to Trump have been bullied and heckled as well as ignored. Now we have the US Treasury secretary denying again the request for an American president to release his tax returns. Trump's circle of supporters are ever more tainted with the need to protect a person who has obviously made a trail of self-serving decisions. Since every American president has released his tax returns since the days of Nixon, doesn't that concern us voters? Yes it does!
246
The dems are going to wind up stepping into their own trap. There is no law that requires tax returns to be made public but rather good practice to show transparency. Well.. with this pres..transparency and divesting is long gone... his base doesn't care and the rest of the people already know he's crooked. So what would come out of trying to show his taxes? It just makes the dems look desperate.
When it gets to SCOTUS the Democrats will lose.
Why? There's a LAW that Congress can demand anyone's tax returns. will the court rule that the President is above the law?
4
Mnuchin is just another of the collection of Trump stooges. Just a continuing national disgrace. Trump campaigned that, as a Washington outsider he was going to "drain the swamp". So what did all of us, including Trump voters, get? A continuing horror story of lies, incompetence, corruption and the blatant violation of our constitution - the worst administration in U.S. history. What baffles me is why t the Trump voters don't see it? We must throw him out in 2020 (unless his lust for Big Macs get him first).
10
What's worst is that Mnuchin is not even protecting Trump the President. He's protecting Trump the failed casino mogul and reality TV clown. It's a mystery why he even gives that person the time of day.
8
Does Mr. Mnuchin know that the majority of Congress & Senate members already released their tax returns, both Republican, Conservatives, Democrats, and Independents? Even Mr. Mnuchin had to submit his tax returns as a cabinet member, if I am not mistaken. So that excuse is totally without merit. even credit bureaus will check your tax returns to confirm your statements about your income.
4
Everyone knows the request for the income tax returns is a sham. The Congressional committee wants to obtain the tax returns, which are supposed to be examined in closed session, in order to vote to make them public. The law clearly intended for the tax returns to remain confidential.
Even politicians deserve their privacy. If Donald Trump wants to take the political heat for refusing to make his tax returns public, he should be able to keep them private. The Democrats should not be able to make that choice for him.
36
@John Smithson
No Democrat is making that choice for him...the law is.
165
@John Smithson
The law is clear. Black-letter.
141
@John Smithson Trump is pained to reveal his taxes because he knows that a thorough audit, following the money trail, will provide more evidence of his financial, as well as moral corruption.
How many prostitution payments has Trump written off as businesses expenses? We already know that he cheated on his taxes by using untaxed money he "gave" to his foundation to pay his legal bills.
Anyone else who did that would be in prison.
205
God bless Steve Mnuchin.
1
Why, bless his heart!
yes, bless him and keep him locked up. seriously, lock him up.
Trump's refusal to provide his tax returns, both personal and corporate, as well as financial statements, are in defiance of the law. And his continued refusal to have his administration lackeys appear before congress in defiance of subpoenas all lead to the same conclusion; he has so much to hide. At every one of his political rallies he bellows how transparent he's been. Perhaps he doesn't understand that "transparency" has more than one meaning and that we can see right through him.
5
Win-Win
Sets up Munchkin for criminal charges.
Sets up an Article Three (Nixon impeachment) charge against his Imperial Highness RICO Don.
5
Section 6103 does certainly say that various committee heads and the President may have access to any return, without specifically requiring a reason to do so. That was a mistake.....Try hard and forget Trump is president...Do we really want the President and members of Congress to have private access to anyone's tax return without a legitimate purpose?...The President or Committee heads could access the returns of opponents, lobbyists, donors, NYT journalists and anyone else's returns they may find interesting...Perhaps after review of a journalists return, that President or Congressman may dig into the return and find descrepancies. If so, they would consider it their obligation to report such descrepancies to the IRS..Or, more likely call the journalist, opponent or donor on the phone and extract favors in return for silence...This is a bad law that violates all of our privacy..Fortunately, the SC could rely on the legislative history or rule that unless good purpose is shown (like a warrant), it's a violation of privacy to acquire someone's tax returns...I hope they do...Now that these politicians know they have this power, they won't give it up.
1
@Lindsey E. Reese
Under the existing laws, Congressional committee's request is legitimate and lawful. If you don't like the law, you can ask your congressman to fix it. It is exactly like the DOJ policy (which isn't a law ) that a sitting a president can't be indicted as it takes too much time away from governing. The irony is that DOJ policy doesn't talk about a sitting president doing personal business or taking legal actions on others in a personal capacity taking time away from governing at the tax payers expense.
2
@Lindsey E. Reese
This is not about "private access to anyone's tax return without a legitimate purpose." This is about Congressional oversight and investigating a (so called) President for whom there is evidence that he is compromised. Stop with the ridiculous hyperbole.
1
This is a very fair point that the law permits it but it is bad policy. I agree - it’s bad policy.
However, the Supreme Court consistently analyzes such balance of power issues by deferring to Congress to change the law. The position you’ve argued here is for an activist court - one where judges interject policy views rather than follow precedent.
By putting Congressional and Executive conflicts in the Courts, each decision defines the role of the Courts under Chief Justice John Roberts. Given Roberts strong sense of precedent and the historical role of Congress for legislation and the Courts for resolution where law is unclear (which - mind you - came out of a GOP platform against judicial activism), Roberts would need to abandon his judicial philosophy to allow such an activist position.
Nothing is out of the question these days. However, while I differ politically with Roberts, the reason I said years ago that Roberts was a very fair jurist for the Chief Justice role (ie, a true believer in precedent and the Courts not being activist) is the only reason I have faith in the governments ability to handle these issues.
And that non-activist belief is the same reason I believe Mueller was a fair leader for independent counsel.
In all of this, I am a liberal finding common ground with conservative officials - Robert and Meuller. Where I struggle to see the equity here is where are conservatives finding the same in liberal officials. None of that involves Trump.
This isn't stonewalling on the part of Mnuchin. This is an out-and-out refusal to obey the law. There is no consultation required. This is malfeasance in office, and grounds for removal. Fine, find him in contempt if you like, but go for the gold: removal from office.
6
When do you know there's a scam? When you start defending potential crimes as silly political request. GOP said the same about Nixon. Found out Nixon under reported by a mere 500,000 dollars.. oops When Barr shuts down all remaining investigations people will defend that too. When you start your sentence with....everybody knows or experts are saying....
3
It’s not up to Steve Mnuchin to decide if it’s for political purposes. He’s a grunt who is required to follow the laws governing the position he temporarily holds.
7
Representative Neal should immediately move for a writ of mandamus. There is no discretion for the Treasury Department to avoid compliance with the clear ministerial mandate of the governing federal statute. Hopefully, the federal judge hearing the case will expedite his or her ruling. This obstruction must be stopped.
8
The courts presumably must maintain that if the president has wide discretion in how he executes the law (deferring wrt travel bans of dubious intent, eg), then congress has wide discretion in determining what constitutes legislative value...
If judges rule that an executive agency head can determine what constitutes legitimate legislative function, particularly while they posture that they cannot intercede wrt executive decisions, I think we can regard the most basic principle of divided power among coequal branches to be gutted.
3
From the perspective of a four decade tax practitioner who has been successfully involved with a number of IRC Sec. 6103 (disclosure) proceedings, the President, (love, hate or endure him), is truly on solid ground when he makes the statement that he will not allow the disclosure of his tax matters. (For those of you scoring at home, I refer you to IRC Sec. 6103 (f), et. seq). Further the most liberal of these provisions requires full bi-partisan Congressional agreement.
The main issue regarding any disclosure is the one mandating the confidentiality and disclosure of “tax return information”. This provision even becomes even more acute when one discloses return information where others are involved (such as a partnership). Many treat these provisions casually. But professionals who have been involved in this situation realize the seriousness and purpose of the law.
Now was all done on the President's end to the up-and-up? One can draw his own conclusions here. But it is personally galling to me when those who are given the responsibility for making and effecting these laws seem to have no clue whatsoever as to how the law works. Sorry kids, but energies here are much better directed in removing this man via the ballot, rather than creating false hope by making farcical tax opinions and hoping to shortcut the process by means that are not possible.
3
A democratic society demands complete transparency. Everyone's tax filings should be searchable online., free of charge, through the IRS website.
2
Since DJT has told in excess of 10,000 lies in two years in office, the rationale for requesting his tax returns are as follows:
1- To confirm no obstruction of justice
2- To confirm no collusion,
3- To prove he is really a good, honest businessman who can borrow money from banks & have repaid those loans
4- To insure he has not violated the Emollients Clause. & finally,
5- To allow him to finally make good at least one of his promises to America, namely that he would release those returns once the audit was completed
Those rationales seem to trump the need for any legal challenge to the Courts. If DJT persists then perhaps its time to impeach Barr, Mnuchin and DJT on the grounds of obstruction of justice because the 3 have acted together so as to pervert the law for the benefit of DJT, at his behest. The law, evidence and reality demands proof hat no one is above the law & establishing the checks & balances are for the benefit of the United States, not available to protect POTUS. BTW, don't forget to sanction DJT's attorneys when they pursue this matter for wasting the Courts' time in pursuit of absolute nonsense. Works for me!
3
I’m curious to see how long Munchins bought and paid for wife sticks around when he’s in prison and the money is frozen. Does anybody think she married him for his looks or personality?
7
The Hollywood movie producer playing Treasury Secretary refuses to release the tax returns of the fraud playing President.
6
Mnuchin is a another corrupt bootlicking toady. He is ignoring the law to bide time. He will lose in court and he knows it.
14
Congress as a whole leaks like a sieve. Are there select committees, trusted to not leak, that would be harder to refuse on privacy grounds?
2
The time for talking is over.
The time has come where 10 million Americans descend on Washington and shake the gates around the White House off their hinges.
Civil disobedience is our constitutional right.
And if you want to bring your guns, all the better.
The second amendment was drafted specifically to combat a tyrannical government.
6
@New World I agree with all you say except for your characterization of the second amendment's purpose. There is no evidence whatsoever in the minutes of the constitutional conventions that support this point. the second amendment was drafted so that there would be state militias instead of a standing federal army, as southern states were concerned a federal army would be used to end slavery. And, in order to get all colonies to become states in the new USA, the compromise was made.
3
It is high time we start imprisoning these criminals. Cite him in inherent contempt and send the Sergeant At Arms to deal with him. Same treatment for Barr. Neither the Executive nor the Legislative branches have jurisdiction over the House.
3
The only reason that Trump does not want us to see his returns is that he has something to hide. Seems to me that the Democrats win either way. They can get the returns or campaign on the fact that Trump is a liar with something to hide. The Democrats just need to be relentless about this point to convince the electorate that they are right.
3
Last time I checked the Secretary of the Treasury doesn’t have any Constitutional powers. The Congress does.
Lock this guy up.
20
Mnuchin and Barr will both be held in contempt of Congress.
4
"Legitimate legislative purpose?" How about money laundering, insurance fraud, campaign finance fraud, non-profit fraud, and good ol' tax cheating?
5
Everything aside, foreign governments will still play the electoral system to impact our elections to their benefits. Watch and weep, the majority is ruled by the minority.
We are in a constitutional crises. The administration is saying NO to everything
Theses are terrible times and we remain scared for the country.
4
The American people deserve to see what donald trump has been hiding in his tax returns. It's about time.
6
Everyone should relentlessly repeat that trump is a pauper, that will drive him nuttier than he is. If he clings to being a billionaire let him prove it. That he graduated at the bottom of his class at Wharton should also be stated often.
I think that’s really the crux of his refusals, it’s all about his ego. He did try to sue a writer that said he wasn’t a billionaire and lost, like many of his lawsuits.
Trump is a fool covered in ignorance, wrapped in lies and tied up with a racist bow.
7
@Paulie, Ouch! Your comment got me quoting Don,jr. "I love it!"
2
Mnuchin has been looking to increase his power in the Trump regime and now he finally has found his place. He has become Trumps Himmler, using the same style of illegal threats his boss uses.
Surrounding himself with the mantle of power and an enormous ego, he has now become as responsible and guilty as his leader. Already familiar with financial crime in an earlier part of his life, he now has added a direct attack on Congress and the rule of law, he has in fact taken over as second in command in the White House, having pushed Pence way into the religious background.
All this is so familiar and so scary as we have seen this happen in many brutal dictatorships.
And still the democrats want to play nice and have fallen into the trap set by the President.
Their road to discovery is becoming more and more slippery by the day.
2
@Johan Debont, Michael Cohen warned the American people and the Congressional Republicans sitting on the committee during that televised hearing that they could end up just like him by following Donald J. Trump, Individual 1.
1
If Mnuchin feels he can ignore the rule of law, Congress is obliged to ask the justice department to arrange for Mnuchin's arrest and detainment. This is not a matter of Mnuchin's personal whim or judgement--it is a matter clearly defined by federal law.
12
For the sake of argument, let’s stipulate that Mr. Mnuchin is correct in arguing that the disclosure request lacks “legislative purpose” (although the tax cuts signed into law by President Trump might easily be seen as an act of self-dealing). Congress also has a constitutional duty to perform oversight of this and every other administration. The president’s tax records will reveal all domestic and international sources of his income, which will have significant implications as he and the Congress frame domestic and foreign policy. His tax returns will also reveal the degree of his indebtedness, and to whom. They will also shed light on the fairness and consistency of the valuations placed on his assets for the purposes of property sales, property tax assessments, insurance, and the issue of publicly subsidized bonds. These are all legal and legislative questions that Congress needs to understand to avoid navigating blindly. And as a political matter, it will be interesting to see what Mr. Trump’s effective tax rate has been over the years. Safe to say it has been much lower than the rate of many small business owners in Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
12
What is Nancy Pelosi's problem? If they officially begin impeachment proceedings, then any request for information from or about the president serves a specific legislative purpose.
5
Of course this is not a surprise. Trump and his flunkies refuse to follow the rule of law, or comply with Congressional requests or subpoenas. Too bad Congress has demonstrated it is toothless.
4
@LiquidLight Hard to believe this came as a surprise to anyone.
Trump has put a couple friends on the Court. Imagine what would happen to the legitimacy of the Court if it’s a 5-4 decision in Trump’s favor with a weak, disingenuous argument. Then we see his taxes anyway through NY state’s actions or through someone leaking them.
2
Arbitrary government. Our ancestors fought a war over that. I don't want to go back there and live under a king who can do no wrong. Trump proves himself a coward every day for hiding his 1040 from lawful scrutiny.
11
So now the executive branch can decide for the legislative branch what is a “legitimate legislative purpose?” And the executive can appoint the members of the judicial branch that are biased toward a strong executive. What is left but to call this a dictatorship?
13
It’s springtime — A pleasant time of year for any part of these beautiful United States. Even the infamously humid weather in DC is glorious.
Google Maps shows a 20 minute stroll between the IRS tax office and the Capitol building in DC.
I am admittedly an unsophisticated person, but is there anything stopping lawmakers with a constitutional right to this information from WALKING TO THE IRS THEMSELVES AND GETTING IT? You could do it on your lunch break AND get some exercise. Heck, pick something tasty up for Steve Mnuchin on the way in the spirit of bipartisanship.
9
Senate republicans have demonstrated no concern over the attacks on Article I of the Constitution by this administration. We have had one constitutional crisis already and Senate and House republicans were unwilling to override a presidential veto.
We are now facing a second attack on Article I and Senate and House republicans appear to be gloating over the huge corporate and high net income tax cuts last term and what they expect to be a glide path through the 2020 Congressional primaries.
Whether Article I survives the onslaught or not may be dependent on one man; Chief Justice Roberts.
5
"...resolved by (Trump's) Supreme Court...?
Wonder how that's going to pan out.
4
Inch by inch we are descending into autocracy. Elsewhere I read Trump is once again claiming he deserves more than two terms. In 2020, we should be prepared that he will deny the election results and incite his followers to wage a civil war for him. I was relieved to see that Nancy Pelosi was already anticipating this also.
11
@Dissatisfied, "a civil war for him"
In a few more months like this, it might not be such a bad idea. Post-natal population control. Reduction in the carbon footprint and green house gases. Hmmmm?
He lied about releasing them and needs to be held accountable. They nailed Al Capone, they can nail him.
8
I for one hope this goes all the way to the Supremes, and that Trump wins 5 to 4.
3
@Peter
This is a legal request. The law is actually very clear on this. Mnuchin, no doubt at Trump’s request, is breaking the law.
If you or I break the law, there are consequences.
What possible gain for you do you think comes out of an administration that operates in total, unabashed, blatant defiance of the law?
4
@Peter, you taking bets or just hoping?
Democrats will do anything to distract from their abysmal Green New Deal.
This straw man argument is strained and tired. Do better, if you can.
16
Is this a nation of laws or not? Welcome to the Constitutional crisis and the elected Democrats' response.
1
@Rick
Steve said “the department may not lawfully fulfill the committee’s request.”
Huh? As usual with this maladministration, precisely the opposite is true. The department cannot lawfully withhold the tax information. Are none of the base ever going to smell a rat? How obvious does it have to be? He is a crook.
10
The base doesn’t care. It is tribal. He’s their guy.
2
The 1924 IRS law provides for Congress to have access to the President's tax returns. It is my understanding they are quite voluminous. If he has nothing to hide, release a breakdown of your sources for income, and show us what deductions you took including those for capital gains, property taxes, and charity.
If the President has not paid taxes for years because of the size of the deductions taken, let the people know.
Personally, I believe anyone running for the presidency, the Senate or the House should release their income tax returns --- as ALL the Democratic candidates have done.
As a voter, I have decided I WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE who refuses to release their income tax returns.
7
Like many people who deal in real estate, Trump probably lives on debt. In other words, he borrows money secured by a property so he can live lavishly and impress the people of middle-America that worship the appearance of wealth. He has no ability, or intention of paying off the loan because the interest rates that are available to him make the debt impossible to retire. Commercial loans need to be refinanced every 5 to 10 years. When he can't refinance the debt he defaults on the loan. At that point, the bank forecloses on the property. Deutsche Bank probably still lends him money because he still has a few free and clear assets that he can put up as collateral. This charade is the source of his political and social power. His returns will probably reveal that he is just as insolvent now, as he was in the 90's. His returns will show that his debt exceed his assets. Charade revealed. Power gone.
9
@Robin Johns
Absolutely. The amazing thing is that the scam involving his sister that the Times painstakingly and credible investigation exposed has been swallowed up by the tsunami of fresh scandals and incompetence.
Imagine if the NY Times had printed an expose like that about Obama. But because it is Trump we seem to have heard an end of it.
3
@Robin Johns I agree with all your points, save the last. At this point I've come to realize Trump's worshipers do not care. There is nothing this charlatan could be found to be up to his neck in that they won't blame on Democrats
2
@Bob Guthrie
Agreed. Shame on the media for declaring him a billionaire (or at least repeating the lie) while having little to no real information on his financial position. Especially when they know billionaires have exaggerated credibility in our society. As Michelle Wolf said, "it was the media that created this monster".
1
Congress’ responsibility to provide oversight of the executive branch should be enough.
If not, 26 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(f)(1) and (3) does not leave room for Mnuchin’s discretion regarding releasing tax information to Congress.
And then there is the fact that all other presidents have, as a matter of course released their tax documents: This is not an outrageous or unreasonable request.
Are we a nation of laws? Or a nation of Trump?
I don’t know what course Congress can take, but if it’s not swift and harsh, and if the courts will not back Congress in this legal request for information to do their job, then laws and the Constitution no longer mean anything in this country.
2
Congress determines the President's salary. In what universe can it be claimed that the branch that determines federal salaries and writes the tax laws does not have an oversight interest in the tax returns of the public officials they tax and pay?
"If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!" - President Truman
6
So oversite isn’t a legislative duty? Seeing if he’s in violation of the emoluments clause isn’t a legislative function? /s
1
Trump recently stated that Mueller had access to his tax returns and that they were judged to be "clean" so therefore there was no need to release them to Congress.
It must be very convenient to be able to, on a daily basis, just make stuff up and still have 40% of America believe it. First the Audit Fairy and now Mueller's bill of clean taxes.
6
That throngs of blue collar voters would so fervently support a spoiled rich narcissist child should say a lot about what has befallen much of this country in the hands of both D&R's since the 70's.
4
Was Obama required by law to hand over his birth certificate when Trump demanded that?
1
Seriously? Trump was a private citizen who had no legal standing.
I guess you haven’t been following along. There’s a 1924 law that gives Congress the right to see any individual’s tax return — including the president’s.
2
@Randy no, Obama was not required by law to hand over his birth certificate to the private citizen who was demanding it. There is no law about that. There is a law allowing Congress to request and review any citizen’s tax returns.
1
A president who does not want his taxes to be viewed knows that they will turn voters away. In other words, he has smething to remain hidden.
Is that the sort of leader you support, and if so why? Got your hand in a cookie jar? If so, you are not placing much value n that hand.
3
"The only conceivable argument that the IRS commissioner could make for not turning over the president’s return would be to suggest that the committee had no legitimate purpose relating to its work for requesting the return. This is an absurd argument with respect to Trump’s returns. Most obviously, the committee has a legitimate interest in monitoring the auditing and enforcement of the law with respect to sitting presidents, especially in light of the known problems with the initial audits of President Richard M. Nixon’s returns. There are also legitimate grounds for the request centered on oversight of potential conflicts of interest the president may possess." - Lawrence H. Summers, past president of Harvard University and treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001.
6
Trump is conducting his private businesses while serving in a public office in which his official duties may affect his personal businesses. In order to prevent Congressional investigations into possible conflicts of interest, President's have divested themselves of business interests or submitted tax returns. It was voluntary. Also, it's fairly obvious that Trump's business interests are all based upon his brand name and him, not anything that can persist apart from that. If he divested, he might never regain those businesses after leaving office. So he has chosen not to separate himself from the businesses nor to reveal his tax returns.
The Congress probably needs a full and complete audit of Trump and his family's finances and businesses. The tax returns probably will just generate more questions to be answered.
3
I see jail time in his future.
10
Munchin’s warning that “members of both parties may be vulnerable” to having their tax returns exposed. What! Why shouldn’t legislators share their tax returns with the electorate? What is Munchin afraid of in releasing his, or anyone else’s returns?
7
@Marie Carr
No, they should not.
@Marie Carr
It's called putting the toothpaste back in the tube. Harding's rotten administration made Congress enact a law enabling them to review the tax returns of public officials. Congress is also charged will oversight and assuring that the tax returns of Presidents are effective is part of that oversight. Munchin is trying to prevent Congressional oversight of the President, and to invalidate that law from the 1920's. I do not think that the Supreme Court will keep Congress from reviewing the tax returns. It may, but I would be surprised.
1
Hmmmmm...if this situation was reversed, how would trump handle the Dems redacting a critical report into Russian meddling and obstruction, not releasing tax returns, and otherwise stonewalling every request for information.....you would be hearing Coverup, every time he was near a microphone. What is wrong with the Dems... have they no voice?
7
The only reason the request is "unprecedented", is because Trump is the only President to not voluntarily release his taxes going all the way back to Nixon.
12
The issue, as far as Trump is concerned, is not how little or much tax he paid. The issue is how were they used to secure financing. If they are the same returns he used to secure credit lines, no problem. On the other hand I would bet they aren't. That could expose him to bank fraud.
5
The only way this is rectified is for the House Sergeant-At-Arms to take Mnuchin in custody pending further charges of obstruction by Mnuchin and/or Trump who surely directed him to not release his tax returns. Bottom line is Democrats must punish offenders or they will face more obstruction setting new precedents.
13
If you can't show that you are financially clean you need to step aside. Especially Trump, since he had to settle a fraud case with his phony University and has paid illegal hush money to a porn star. The executive branch is 1/3 of the government, not our dictator.
I like the legislation going forward that states you have to show your taxes to get on the ballot. We have had enough crooks.
7
I don't know why Chairman Neal cannot just honestly state that there is widespread reporting of tax fraud within the Trump organization, widespread reporting and an open flaunting by the President of the emoluments clause as the justification for for his valid request under IRC Sec 6103 to examine Trump's tax returns. Surely that would be a legitimate legislative purpose under Article 1 powers.
Democrats need to start calling out a corrupt President clearly and simply, rather than too-clever niceties like assessing the IRS's performance in tax audits. That's just an unnecessary fig leaf for a valid investigation.
But the Dems screw up the message with legalistic approach as always.
4
I am not sure why the reporter is so sure that any option through the court system would necessarily be "protracted." The statute on which the demand for the tax returns was based is very clear. The House can issue a subpoena, but assuming it's declined too, the House should be able to file for injunctive relief to gain the turnover of the tax returns. Such an action is designed to be quick, not protracted. Once the House prevails, as it should, the Treasury Dept would need to obtain a stay of the ruling, assuming an appeal is taken. There's no reason to believe they'd get one, given the baselessness of the refusal. If they did get one, the appeal to the Court of Appeals could be expedited. As long as the law is enforced by the courts, the Supreme Court would likely decline any further review.
2
Secrets, secrets, secrets.
So sick of the Trump protectors! Shame on them.
7
this is more evidence that this administration is a criminal syndicate. How does congress hold these miscreants accountable?
4
Cite him in contempt of Congress, too. Who do these people think they work for? It's not Trump or Putin. They serve the American people. Trump and his whole criminal crew is utterly contemptible.
7
I think that the issue of legislative purposes is for Congress to decide. Legislation is an enumerated power. I’m not even sure is the Court has the authority to decide it any more than Congress can define the internal workings of the Court.
3
What authority does the secretary of the treasury have to determine “legislative purpose” anyway? The legislature, according to the lies I was taught in grammar school, is Congress.
It’s absolutely evident “the people” are neither in charge nor held accountable to in D.C. Our government is so rife with self-serving corrupt intent that politicians operate in broad daylight with no concern about public backlash because they have removed the public from their everyday dealings.
I don’t care what Mnuchin or Trump or Barr or anyone else has to say about “the law”, or “their authority” or any other thinly veiled platitude for public release. The people want to see the tax returns. The people want to see the unredacted Muller investigation. The people want to read the truth for themselves and not be told what the truth is.
This protracted campaign of deceit and manipulation has been going on for the better part of two years and it needs to come to an end. It needs to end before the truth is filed in the same drawer as the JFK investigation and sealed with the all encompassing “national security” designation. National security is possible because of the sons and daughters of the public. This truth make public interest synonymous with national security and all the truths that come with it.
Reestablish connection with Washington - ask representatives pledge their loyalty to the constitution and the people anew, hold them to account, and resist fringe ideology.
5
What are they all working so hard to hide for Trump?
What, just what is it that Trump is so desperate to hide?
Kind of makes me wonder... imagine if President Obama had behaved like this about every little thing, while tweeting about how "completely exonerated" and entirely innocent he was. Imagine how the Republicans would behave.
Paraphrasing Nixon - "It's not obstruction if the president does it..." Trump, far from being "the most transparent administration ever", sure seems to work really hard to hide things. I can't help but wonder why that is... and why so many other people go along with it.
11
This just in: This evening President Trump took another step in his new policy of completely disregarding Congress by announcing that he is proposing new legislation overturning the Affordable Care Act, and that all Americans of all ages who are lawfully in this country, rather than Congress, will have an opportunity to vote on the bill in two weeks via Twitter.
5
First the Mueller Report, and now this...
The law and the US Constitution are extremely clear on this subject - the Congress is tasked with executive oversight, and the House Ways and Means Committee can subpoena ANYONE's tax returns - there are ZERO exceptions.
Nonetheless, this will very likely end up in front of the Supreme Court... And if it does, we can already have a pretty good idea how the four corporate lackeys will go (Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh, and the stolen seat, Gorsuch).
The decision will probably come down to whether Chief Justice John Roberts will consider the integrity of the law, the legacy of his Court, and the fate of his Country more important than aiding and abetting the occupant of the White House by permitting him to conceal his shady (and very likely compromising) financial dealings from the elected representatives of the people.
Trump's financial dealings and relationships are a legitimate national security issue (Never forget his baffling and inexplicable speech in Helsinki).
People with nothing to hide just don't behave this way.
10
@Jeff
"The law and the US Constitution are extremely clear on this subject - the Congress is tasked with executive oversight"
Really? Why don't you provide a citation to the particular article & section of the Constitution that say that.
2
There is a legislative purpose. They want to legislate that all future presidential candidates have to release their taxes to ensure that the American public can see if the prospective president is beholden to a hostile foreign power. Imagine if Obama and the Dems tried to stop such legislation
Where in the Constitution does it say there has to be a legislative purpose? They could ask for the reader's taxes and it does not have to gave a legislative purpose. When Mnuchin and his partner used Government assets for personal reasons did that have a legislative purpose? If Congress demands them, the Congress being Congress it means that it is by definition political... like any IMPEACHMENT.
They should ask for Steve Mnuchin's taxes while they are at it.
Steve Mnuchin’s dubious use of military aircraft cost taxpayers nearly $1 million for 8 trips.
It was done on a one-week trip to the Middle East that cost $183,646 for flights on military aircraft to five separate cities. That trip came on top of $811,797.81 in previously expenditures for government military aircraft.
Hey Steve don't worry about legislative purposes, what was your purpose in plundering the tax coffers for those extravagances?
6
@Bob Guthrie
Actually, it is a law from around 1920 and it says nothing about legislative purpose or any other justification. Congress legally can get any tax returns it wants by asking. These Republican lawyers are amazingly inventive crooks (not starting with the present coterie). It all adds up to delay-delay-stall-stall, fight in courts, let years go by, and it'll blow over.
5
@Bob Guthrie
"There is a legislative purpose. They want to legislate that all future presidential candidates have to release their taxes to ensure that the American public can see if the prospective president is beholden to a hostile foreign power."
That's not a very good argument. If that were the purpose, Congress could just go ahead and pass that law today. They don't need Trump's, or anyone else's, tax return to do that.
2
@GMooG
True, and yet the law says nothing about legislative purpose. It provides no limitations and no exceptions. The law was passed as a response to corruption in the administration. That suggests the administration is the last place that should obstruct the law.
If his attempts to prevent his tax returns from becoming public were his worst offenses, we could consider ourselves lucky.
1
This administration is what it is: a bunch of mobsters.
5
Indeed, a second rate crime family.
1
Subpoena them, then send the Sergeant-at- Arms to arrest Mnuchin if he doesn't provide them.
9
@Citizen
Yes, I'm wondering why not?
Anyway, Mnuchin is not legally involved. The director of the IRS is legally responsible. Mnuchin is illegally interfering.
3
The Supreme Court is in the president's pocket. Kavanaugh owes his buddy a solid.
1
Frankly, I'd prefer to see the various off shore accounts of the Republican senators starting at the bottom of the cesspool with McConnell. It's The Trump Party after all. They can't help but be the epitome of Corrupt.
5
subpoena and impeach them all. we've seen enough already.
2
Maybe Trump is still being audited (please note sarcasm).
2
Arrest everyone in sight, Rikers Island , bread and water, seize all Trump Crime Family passports ,and freeze all assets, NOW!
3
Trump said he would release his returns during his campaign and again since he has been president.
His reason for not releasing them has been proven as not an obstacle to the release. The President needs to now say that he is free to do as he said he would do and personally direct the IRS to release his returns as other candidates and presidents have done.
I expect he will do as he said, don’t you?
4
@Whatever
Yes it seems the audit excuse was a lie. This is the problem. The American populace is so overwhelmed with one outrageous falsehood after another that this outrage gets buried in the tsunami of scandal. This however was one of the original building block lies.
Dem slogan for 2020. Cove-ups upon endless cover ups is a bad thing. It is not a good thing.
3
@Bob Guthrie
The President says the fact that he was elected proves nobody is interested in seeing his tax returns.
This is another example of his twisted self serving ‘logic’ that is repeated by his supporters.
Excellent at propaganda seeding!
@Bob Guthrie
The President says the fact that he was elected proves nobody is interested in seeing his tax returns.
This is another example of his twisted self serving ‘logic’ that is repeated by his supporters.
Excellent at propaganda seeding 🤪
How about looking at Mnuchin's as well...
10
@Ron
Incidentally, Mnuchin is known to have cheated a business partner out of a couple of hundred million dollars.
1
I was getting hungry for supper, but now I feel ill. It's disheartening to the extreme to wish, rather suddenly, that important cases would NOT go to the Supreme Court for about 30 years.
3
What can be so damning in there that they fight so hard to hide ?
What can Muller say to congress be so damning for Trump that they will not let him talk!
You better believe the Trump team believes it will cost him either the 2020 race or get him impeached.
Can anyone else in the world not see this is a disparate man trying to hide his sins...
BTW: I am a republican but not a dumb fool
15
@Dan
You hit the nail on the head. However, your party (if it is still yours) doesn't care one whit.
2
@Dan
You mean desperate rather than disparate. Or did you? Just about any desperate adjective applies to the stable genius. To answer your question- yes the world can see it very clearly because the world needs America's democracy to be that beacon on the hill. The world needs American Democracy. The rest of the world is freaked out. We would kind of like to keep NATO for example to keep Russia in check. Your last sentence reveals more than you might realise.
2
A "legitimate legislative purpose"? That decision should be left to congress, not an employee of the executive branch.
9
Putin is blackmailing Trump while the Republican Party desperately tries to him in office. Is the American government that inept?
3
I do hope that Stevie enjoys his stay in the House gaol and the $10,000 fines that are coming his way. This one isn't going away.
2
26 U.S.C. Sec. 6103(f)(1) and (3) obligate the Treasury Department to produce the returns if certain members of Congress request them. However, the contents of the returns cannot be publicized without the taxpayer's consent. It is not for Secretary Mnuchin to decide there is no legitimate legislative purpose. However, I have no doubt that 4 justices on the Supreme Court will back Trump no matter what.
6
Is means is and shall means shall. The I.R.S. shall offer up any (not just some) tax return to specifically named Congresspersons. No note from God is needed. No explanation is required. They don't have to present a particular handshake for the I.R.S. to comply.
9
What exactly are congressional leaders waiting for? It's obvious that the administration has no interest in complying with norms - so why give them the courtesy of adhering to norm. Subpenas and Contempt filings should be first and foremost. Fines and jail for those that break the law.
5
The Supreme Court? With all those Federalist Society alumni that always whine that we have drifted too far from the Constitution? In theory this would be a slam dunk for Congress since the law explicitly says Congress has the right to anyone’s tax returns but I give this Court 50:50 odds at best of being on the right side of justice.
8
I don't believe this involves the Supreme Court. Getting the Supreme Court involved only further reduces the power of Congress. Who nominates judges to the Supreme Court? The more Congress's power is eroded the further toward dictatorship we get.
Congress has the power to arrest people. They've done it before and it was upheld by the Supreme Court. The House Sergeant At Arms should arrest Mnuchin.
There was a Supreme Court case in 1821 Anderson v Dunn which affirmed Congress's power to arrest. I'm going to consider contacting my Congressman and demanding Mnuchin be arrested.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/19/204/
4
“lacks a legitimate legislative purpose”
Who appointed him God?
Who is he to judge what legitimate legislative purpose is?
The House and Senate are elected by the American voters
Who elected him?
Who voted for him?
I don't recall reading in the Constitution that the
Sec. of the Treasury's right to determine legitimate legislative purpose shall not be infringed...
7
Trump is scared they sure wanted Hillary's tax returns in emails right away or they threatened her why don't they do it that Trump he's hiding something
1
Exposure for exposure, or disclosure for transparency?
Headline correction: Mnuchin refuses to comply with law
18
I hate to say this but the democrats seem very weak right now. That they aren't able to bulldoze in just like the republicans did to go after Bill Clinton, is beyond me. This translates into looking weak and weakness loses elections.I realize there's a lot more going on and it isn't just that simple, but look at the optics of this, Trump and his minions are breaking the law and getting away with it, the House democrats are blowing smoke when they should go all out and clean house. Trust me if every democrat loses elections after that then the country was lost anyway. I also don't believe that poll that says 68% of people aren't interested in this, who made that poll, the Russian troll factory?
7
So another instance of the Trump administration breaking the law and getting away with it. Why isn't Mnuchin being held in contempt and jailed?
2
Put him in contempt and lock him up
Enough already
2
It seems like the argument here is effectively that whatever approach one takes, the president is not beholden to the law. If a DOJ investigation turns up evidence of criminal wrongdoing, they can't indict. It's up to Congress to assess the evidence and impeach if they judge it's warranted. But if Congress wants to gather evidence pertaining to presidential crimes, it's argued that that violates his right to privacy as a citizen (in the case of financial documents), or executive privilege prevents Congress from interviewing key witnesses (e.g., McGahn).
So, the upshot is that neither the legal system nor Congress can check the executive branch.
2
I have to admit that if I were in the Trump administration I would do the same thing. Deny every request, kick it to the courts, and wait for the 5-4 decision from the Supreme Court. For the first time I miss Scalia, he actually thought the law mattered.
2
"He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump's returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying."
Of course they should be vulnerable to such prying: they are elected, and paid (well paid, with good benefits) to serve us, and we should have the right to see their tax returns, if only to know how much richer they get while in office, and whether that enrichment is normal and honest. If they don't like the idea, let them work for someone else.
Question: Has anyone seen Mr. Mnuchin's tax returns?
26
It is very clear that Trump does not want to comply with the legitimate request of Congress to turn over his tax returns because he is frightened of revealing the following:
1. He is complete fraud given that his net worth and income are not what he had purported them to be (this revelation would be disastrous for Trump because he would lose many supporters who think he has the golden touch and who wish to ride his coattails to similar riches);
2. He is a consummate money launderer who has allowed illicitly earned funds to flow through his real estate holdings (this source of funds has allowed Trump to finance other operations without the help of Wall Street where he is broadly considered toxic);
3. He is not as philanthropic as he claims. Who else would use other people’s money to support his eponymous foundation and then use those funds to purchase a painting (of himself!) and memorabilia for his use, pay legal fees, etc?
4. His earnings will show that he has not created an empire but a house of cards licensing his increasingly sullied name to projects and business concepts that proved fraudulent (e.g., Trump University, Trump Tower Baku, etc.). It is worth noting that Trump paid $25 million to the victims of his Trump University fraud and cancelled his Baku partnership once it was revealed that his partners were tied to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard; and,
5. With over 10,000 lies told to date, who could possibly think that there isn’t fraud in Trump’s tax returns?
19
Looks like Mnuchin is Trump's toady of the week (of course it's only Monday). Trump's efforts to cover his tracks are unraveling, and he's holding them together with intimidating tweets and loyalists willing to do his bidding and thumb their noses at the idea of co-equal branches of government.
Hey, he wanted attention. Now he's got it. And he wants to complain about it? He should be more careful what he's wishing for. Destroying democracy's checks and balances for this guy makes casting pearls before swine look quaint.
11
Book him, Dano
6
Allowing the Democrats to politicize their persecution of a president they hate, would eventually destroy the republic.
2
I am shocked! Did not see this coming. Unless of course he was just dragging it out. Nah...
1
I for one am willing to risk the "lasting consequences for all taxpayers" that the release of his tax returns may bring. I believe a President should be held to the standard codified in 26 U.S.C. Sec 6103(f) and whose interpretation in this instance by the same man who "summarized" the Mueller report is suspect at best. The lasting consequences to all citizen taxpayers of upholding this refusal is to provide precedent that a president is above the law. At that point, our democracy becomes a dictatorship governed by dishonest men.
4
Trump’s tax returns would most likely be absolutely shocking to the American people. The Dems need to get these at any cost. So now we are poised to go to war with Iran as deflection to all his crime and corruption. I ask how the US went rogue so fast. It is horrible.
3
'“As you have recognized, the committee’s request is unprecedented, and it presents serious constitutional questions, the resolution of which may have lasting consequences for all taxpayers,” Mr. Mnuchin wrote in the one-page letter.'
uh huh.
So, Mnuchin and Trump are just setting aside Trump's repetitive repetitive repetitive statements, during the campaign, that he would release his tax returns. Got it.
Also? Please, make it stop. If Trump is re-'elected', I don't think I can stand it.
3
Truly shocking news! /s
Nobody in their wildest dreams could have seen this coming /s
I bet trump has been busy contacting conservatives on the Supreme Court and telling them ," I need your loyalty " and "I need you on my team now !" (NOT sarcasm)
2
I'm feelin' landslide 2020 even Democrats are going clandestine voter ,like many Trump voters are ,not showing all your cards to people .When the votes come hard and heavy ,there will be a majority of Democrats voting for Trump ,because there's too many important issues Democrats do not support.Too bad.
@Alan Einstoss
"because...." because the Democratic Party has turned Republican and cares more about big donors and big corporations than about plain ordinary voters.
Let's split the Democratic Party and send their "republicans" to the other party: that's where they belong.
This is one more example of the Trump administration (more like maladministration) thumbing its nose at the laws.
These people are public servants who have sworn an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, except that under Trump, they act like they think their duty is to serve themselves at our expense.
LOCK. THEM. UP.
6
I think we should have inkling of what Donald is trying to hide. After all, details of one of his big tax evading schemes were published in this very paper by some excellent, persistent reporters. There’s probably money laundering as well. And one of his big lies exposed: he’s not a billionaire.
His sister, Maryanne Trump Barry abruptly retired from the federal bench when an investigation from the court threatened to reveal her finances a few months ago. She was implicated in the tax evading scheme the NY Times documented. Retired judges are not subject to that type of investigation.
As for Mnuchin, what a craven stooge. Hold him in contempt and levy fines on him personally. Donald will leave him hanging, out of the money. Too bad he can’t be thrown in jail so Louise could doll herself up for a visit.
11
Here is the Sec 6103(f) subsection to which my prior comment referred:
"(5) Disclosure by whistleblower
Any person who otherwise has or had access to any return or return information under this section may disclose such return or return information to a committee referred to in paragraph (1) or any individual authorized to receive or inspect information under paragraph (4)(A) if such person believes such return or return information may relate to possible misconduct, maladministration, or taxpayer abuse."
5
@Anonymous
Good find! This could include Congresspersons who see the returns and realize what they mean. No wonder the Trumpists are hysterically stalling.
This will trigger a true test for the Supreme Court.
It will be very straightforward.
Any Supreme Court justice who believes that the president, this president, should not reveal his tax returns should be impeached.
And, assuming they have read the Mueller report, they should be found to be co-conspirator's in acts of treason against the United States of America.
Simply because they know what is in the report and did not intervene to protect our sovereignty.
And if they did not read the report they should be impeached on grounds of neglect.
6
It is time for Congress to build a jail where they can place all of these criminals who are in contempt.
3
Pin the Subpoena on the Sychophant, or alternatively,
Pin the Tax on the Donald.
Either way, both Barr and Mnuchin should be jailed for contempt of Congress. Stop the madness.
5
This wreaks of guilt by Trump, Inc. But the GOP doesn’t care about justice any more. The Base must be served, at all costs, including the truth. Seriously considering a $25k relocation offer from a Canadian city.
4
There is an odd, but obvious set of misfits that have taken control of the executive branch - grabbing every bit of personal power & recognition that they can blatantly manipulate. They have absolutely NO regard for the nation, her citizens, or democracy. They seek vindication for any past slights. The GOP sits idly by waiting to step into the carnage, some how believing the party will survive.
2
Many of Trump's business dealings have been investigated as shady and corrupt. His presidential dealings are no different.
3
The Government will disclose the truth about...I don’t know... UFOs... before it releases Trump’s taxes. The entire purpose of our government is (and has always been) to protect the private property of the very wealthy - emphasis on PRIVATE. The Supreme Court will never permit such a breach of privilege. I promise.
Moreover, in demanding the release, the Democrats continue to paint themselves as the villains, prying into the President’s life, and ruthlessly sabotaging him at every opportunity. Funny how the Republicans did this to Obama and Clinton, but then it was ok.
Since Newt Gingrich, the purpose of a Congress, when dominated by the opposite party, is not to pass useful laws, but to destroy the President by any means possible. Even laws proposed by the President that the opposition would itself have passed, are torpedoed, in order to undermine the President. This happened to Obama endlessly.
We have lost the ability to work together.
It has to stop, or we are headed for civil war.
10
I honestly don’t believe that republicans have any interest in working together. It’s minority governance for the benefit of the few, and it’s their way or the highway.
2
Sorry but both parties do not engage in this behavior. The GOP has a much more torrid recent history of lying, cheating, hypocrisy and character assassination. Regardless, our country is in deep crisis.
2
So, have we reached the point when the majority of Americans are going to realize that the executive branch has finally transgressed the constitutionally authorized limitations of its power? Americans should never forget that we have three equal branches of government, as spelled out in the constitution. People of all kinds have fought and died to preserve our mode of government, and we're now going to let someone like Donald Trump decimate it?
5
This is outrageous! Trumps administration is treating the whole nation with contempt, and totally disregarding the Constitution. If impeachment proceedings don't begin in the House, then the Constitution isn't worth the paper it's written on.
10
That lying spreads from the White House to other departments is infuriating! The 1924 law is clear, yet Mnuchin ignores it. This is venal and uncivil disobedience. Enough law-breaking by the Executive Branch! And Wall Street alumni!
10
The Republican Party, en toto, and contrary to Mr. Biden's wish, is a corrupt, unlawful, treasonous band of vipers that should never be allowed to control the government again. How many unlawful acts must they undertake before their undoing? Well, we'll see, won't we?
4
It’s not up to Mnuchin to decide if there is a legitimate legislative purpose. One can never know with the current SC of course, but on the face of it this is a clear violation of the law.
21
Since when does a Cabinet Secretary determine what is reverent for Congress to look at? The Trump Administration is burning the Constitution and the Republican party is complicit.
34
The American public is about to learn a very consequential lesson in civics. And that is, that the Supreme Court does not have a military, and has no real police powers. It relies on the Executive branch of government to enforce it's decisions. The Constitution assumes that the people are thoughtful enough to elect a president with the character and intelligence to faithfully execute the Office of the President. That's why it's called the "executive" branch of government. I'm sure Trump is by now fully aware that there is absolutely NO entity that can compel him to do anything he does not want to do, or that can stop him from doing whatever it is he wants to do. All he has to do is stay in power. In Russia, they call that "checkmate."
10
Pretty hard to be the legislative branch when the executive branch uses its unsurpassed might...to pull the wool over your eyes. That's why the Supreme Court is there. Even Kavanaugh will look bad if he doesn't make a clear call on this one.
4
Subpoena the tax returns. If he doesn't turn them over, hold Mnuchin in contempt. His refusal is unacceptable. There's a legitimate reason for wanting to see the president's tax returns: his personal lawyer, under oath, testified that the president is guilty of fraud.
11
Patriotic Daniel Ellsberg(ian) IRS employee leaking trump's tax returns sorely needed.
10
Political- DT rallies. Fox News. The wall. List goes on.
Sick of the hypocrisy. If the law in our country can’t stand up to this and the rest we are doomed.
4
I see another 5-4 SC decision in favor of continuing the cover up of the most corrupt administration in our history.
12
Time for the gloves to come off, Dems! I mean loyal Americans!
7
Longest " Audit " in National History.
Sad.
7
After reading the article, I read the comments, like being in an online book club.
What Trump and Mnuchin are doing is a violation of The Constitution of the United States of America and Trump has violated the Presidential Oath of Office. The Mueller report's findings are one thing, but Trump's and Mnuchin's behavior is like 9/11 on the U.S. Constitution. Let's see if the Trumpublicans are going to be celebrating in New Jersey, and Florida.
9
And waiting at the end of the line will be none other than Justice Kavanaugh, he who owes The Boss bigly.
4
Administration, hold your ground and deny these Democrats anything!! They lost over 2 years ago. They need to get over it and start doing something positive. What a bunch of cry-babies.
3
@ratburi. And I’m sure you’d feel as magnanimous if the president was from the other side of the aisle. Cry babies? Sneaky Mitch and his minions wrote that book when Obama was sworn in.
23
@Ratburi I guess you don't believe in the rule of law...read the statute.
25
@Ratburi -It's our country that's being denied, not "democrats." If you don't think looking at Dictator Donnie's history of tax fraud isn't doing something positive, you haven't been paying attention.
24
There is no law that obligates a candidate release his or her tax returns to the public. It's quite obvious that the Democrats are inventing any ploy possible to attack our president. They have been doing it since the day he took the oath of office.
What's the purpose of a presidential audit anyway? For the fun of it? Why do an audit at all? What is an audit supposed to find? If they find something criminal will the president be fired? Trump has been in office two years but the audit apparently didn't find anything problematic. He hasn't been fired from a bad audit.
Democrats are out of control. They have gone off the rails. They're unhinged. Their groupthink is leading them to the vat of kool-aid. They are committing political suicide and trying to drag the nation with them.
1
I broadly agree that there must be a legislative or oversight-related reason for the demand of tax returns, but what level of evidence would you need to be satisfied that such a reason exists?
2
Would you be still defending a Democrat President, if they refused to release their tax returns, or is your loyalty exclusive to Trump, regardless of principles?
20
@Aristotle Gluteus Maximus
This president's behavior and allegiances provide ample reason to look into his taxes, and the potential conflicts of interest that make him kiss the backside of a foreign adversary's leader, while removing us from close relations with our longstanding allies. As for the audit, every president gets audited as a matter of course, not just this one. Last, "attacking our president"? Really? What kind of snowflake is this president that he needs constant, moment to moment affirmation? Obama was "attacked" long before he was sworn in, and had "attacks" constantly from the bigoted and racist members of the GOP in Congress...but he never complained. It's amazing what a victim Trump portrays himself as, and the fact that he and his enablers and supporters can't stop complaining about being "attacked" proves how very weak they really are.
28
Since "witch hunts" ever serve legislative purposes? And when did legislative bodies ever legislate anything except for their own self-interest?
I think it's extremely dangerous when the Treasury Secretary believes political calculations play any role in his job duties.
30
@T.G.
Duh.
He's a political appointee.
2
The ultimate scammer (trump) has blundered into the ultimate scam (the presidency). He can stonewall, claim executive privilege, appoint stooges to run the federal government, who will then use the government as his own protection agency. With the republican party happy to be complicit, there is no oversight or limit to what he can do.
11
A lot of posts give up all hope because Trump has his 5-4 majority in the SCOTUS. I would not be so sure that they can depend on the Chief Justice who has many times shown himself to be both an Institutionalist and a Never Trumper. As always, I prefer to wait and see what happens.
3
I hope you’re right. This has the potential to go terribly wrong.
1
This entire administration are blatant criminals. The entire GOP are complicit. Every representative and senator and every rank-and-file constituent - all guilty.
12
"it's political in nature", which should be obvious based on the fact that Donald won an election. If Donald doesn't like politics, I for one would be overjoyed to never hear about another political controversy involving him. Impeachment would also be acceptable.
4
Comforting to know that Mnuchin's ability to identify an action as a political act can supersede the constitutional imperrative of congressional oversight. Perhaps if a bank heist of murder could be defined as a political act it could be protected from investigation too.
26
I'm going to be the devil's advocate for a moment.
I despise Trump. I think he is unfit, incompetent, dishonest, arrogant, narcissistic and dangerous.
Mnuchin is a pitiful sycophant.
But I'm not sure they're wrong. There is no law requiring the release of a candidate's or a president's tax returns. There should be, but there is not.
The tactic of Ways and Means is transparently political. As Mnuchin claims, there are other ways to "check" the mandatory examinations of presidential returns.
Mueller may have examined Trump's returns. The various actions underway in SDNY and by the NYS Attorney General are legitimate investigations into Trump's finances and they are the proper avenue for a subpoena to get those returns.
He is a cheating liar and his wealth is likely a fraction of what he claims.
But this particular ploy is not the way to confirm it.
@Barking Doggerel There is, however, a law stating that Congress can request anyone's tax return and the Treasury Dept is required to produce it. Mnuchin is blatantly defying the law.
2
@Tim I know, Tim, and I abhor most of the obstructive behavior. But it is not inappropriate to contest a law that is undeniably vague as to intention and which has enormous power as precedent.
@Barking Doggerel
There is no vagueness in this law. Its words are simple, clear, and without exception.
1
Contempt of Congress.
6
They’re winning. The rule of law is gone. Democracies die when those who can do not stand up. And they are not. The childish belief that America is so great and cannot fall must end.
10
It is clear that what this imposter (and his deplorable base) wants is an ultimate showdown over this country's political and governmental system. I say give it to him. We've not much to lose at this point. Impeach him. Find Barr in contempt. And find Mnuchin in contempt as well. Let the chips fall where they may.
23
Mnuchin thinks Mr. Neal’s request for the tax returns “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose”? Neal's letter was carefully written to explicitly state a purpose, namely to review whether the IRS properly audits the tax returns of POTUS. (The IRS blew it with Nixon in 1973.)
Mnuchin should be sanctioned as follows:
1. 26 U.S. Code § 7214
(a) UNLAWFUL ACTS OF REVENUE OFFICERS OR AGENTS Any officer or employee of the United States acting in connection with any revenue law of the United States—
(3) who with intent to defeat the application of any provision of this title fails to perform any of the duties of his office or employment;
shall be dismissed from office or discharged from employment and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
2. Cited for contempt of Congress and brought before the House by the Sergeant at Arms, and if need be, held in confinement until he performs the required act - e.g., turning over the tax records.
Same for IRS Commissioner Rettig.
The law under which Rep. Neal requested the tax records is clear.
26 U.S. Code § 6103(f)(1) Upon written request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives ... the Secretary SHALL furnish such committee with any return or return information specified in such request ...
What unadulterated chutzpah.
Time to call all of these folks who have no respect fr the law to account, including Donnie.
33
So here's a question. The statute of limitations for tax fraud is a moving target. It can be 3 years, 6 years, as much as 10, depending on circumstances. Does this mean that, since the current accepted immunity of a sitting president to any criminal prosecution could conceivably give Trump an 8-year "get out of jail free" card, does this mean that, at best (worst? depending on point of view) only Trump's returns for 2015 and 2016 could possibly be used against him if there is fraud, and then only if prosecuted before April 15, 2025?
Trump's entire life has been to game the system, time and time and time again. He has never spent a day in honest work in his 73 years. And nothing else about him is honest, either.
26
@Glen
There is no statute of limitation for civil tax fraud.
1
The Dems need to hit Trump and the GOP hard next year with "What is Trump hiding?" messages all across the country.
They were far too soft on this issue in 2016, and it cost them the election.
19
Have no doubt that Roberts’ partisans will protect Trump. But they can’t stop NYS from getting his returns and prosecuting Trump for tax evasion....and Mnuchin too....
5
I want to know how the Russians have financed my President.
I believe as a U.S. citizen, and as a registered voter, that I have a right to know.
46
If there is any way that he can be forced to show us his tax returns or be sent to prison, I think we should go for it. He has been dancing around about this for 3 years now, and its getting plainer all the time to see that there must be a lot to hide.
He ran for president, presumably because he wanted the job, and he got it. Transparency goes with it.
8
Tax returns aren’t financial statements so it’s not likely that Congress is going to fund out that Trump isn’t as rich as he claims. What it will determine is whether Trump and his various stooges “fiddle” his reportable income - understating gains, overstating losses. The Times has already done a masterful job setting out how the Trump family massaged the numbers on the transfer of ownership from Fred to, primarily, The Donald. A rigorous audit would likely find considerable underpayment of taxes which, with penalties and interest, could be unprecedented.
8
These past three years have been like the Twilight Zone. I keep thinking that I’m going to wake up and this was all just a terrible nightmare.
There just are not any more words to describe this.
10
Wake me when the revolution starts...
7
Enough already. This is an administration that wants to pretend that we don't have a constitution. Start the impeachment process no matter where it ends. The fact is the Trump voters will vote for Trump no matter what, so none of them will alienated by the process. Let the Republicans in the Senate stand with Trump. It will be something to see Graham and McConell and others who voted to impeach Clinton line up in support of Trump. The Republic really is in constitutional tatters. And for what? To prevent women from having a right to choose and to allow billionaires and big polluters to amass more and more money. That all of this corruption and greed and dishonesty is wrapped in the warm glow of white evangelicals is rich.
23
I agree. Impeachment is an ethical and legal imperative now.
know who to blame? Mitch McConnell. He has enabled this Administration in pursuit of power. Kentucky this is on you.
7
"The Treasury secretary said that the Justice Department would memorialize its advice on the matter in a published legal opinion."
The Justice Department does not make the laws--Congress does. Barr once again is subverting the law to protect Trump. Contempt and jail him. Time for the House to wield its power to stop Trump and his minions from destroying our democracy.
1
Everyone's tax return is no one's business except the IRS, a bank making a loan, a government agency checking for eligibility or a family court.
The idea that Trump with all his trade secrets hidden in his tax returns should make them available to his competitors just to please the morbid curiosity of the liberal rabble is a bit much.
1
@True Observer - The president of the United States is not "everyone"; public officials at such a level are subject to much more scrutiny than you or me, to insure against a potentially massive conflict of interest.
As for what you euphemistically call "trade secrets", at least you admit that Trump is hiding something. Thanks for the laugh!
2
Lol. Trade secrets! We all know he’s a crook. No secret there.
1
The bigger question here is why the left is so obsessed with them.
Here's what I want: In the future NO nominee, including Sanders, shows tax returns. Why? Class warfare. I have seen numerous candidates kicked out of the running for either too high of income on the left, or too little donations on the left as well. This tool has been used by both the right and the left. I am sick of the attempts to destroy political opponents in such a manner.
Policy, Policy, did I forget to say POLICY!!!! That is what must be focused on. Enough of the paranoia, enough of the character assaults, and for this, Trump is making a great future.
You on the left should thank him for it.
Leftists candidates should get some Teflon on this, in the future, due to Trump breaking away these norms. Then, policy will become the center debate.
I said it a lot, let me say it again: POLICY, POLICY, POLICY!!!!!
Have I said it enough?
2
Based on Mnuchin and Trump we can eliminate not only the legislative branch but also the judicial branch of the federal government. This demagoguery by a tyrant must end!
2
We are led by a criminal who has no respect for our Constitution, our system of government, or our laws.
Don't blame Donald Trump. He is true to his nature. Blame the Republicans in Congress who have violated their oaths of office and betrayed our country by not holding him accountable. Flush them out in the next election, every one. If we have a next election.
4
Impeach the whole Republican party, the party of lies and grift.
9
There has never been more reason to release tax returns than there is with this president. No other candidate since this practice began has had a problem with this. Show us the returns and we'll stop asking for them. If there's nothing to hide, don't hide it. We need to see just how corrupt this president really is since all available evidence points to very corrupt. If this is wrong, clear it up.
1
Now trump will have Americans believe that the government looking at American tax returns is unlawful harassment.
3
@Norman
No, but having Congress look at tax returns is harassment
1
@GMooG, stop being a gullible sheep.
I guess it matters little to you that Trump’s own justice Department named him as an unindicted co conspirator in an election finance crime, or that a witness gave sworn testimony to the house intelligence panel that Trump inflated assets to get favourable loans?
1
It is only "unprecedented" because every other president in recent history has gone public with their tax returns!
trump said he'd release them. One of hundreds of lies. NEVER should have taken him at his word. And his sycophants try to spin that as the voters not caring about his seeing his returns since he was voted him in. Voters trusted him to do the right thing and to stand by his word. (Actually, he didn't get voted in. He can thank the Russians for that.)
Why is he fighting so hard, if he has nothing to hide? Is it his ego; doesn't have as much money as he claims to have? Or it is more nefarious; money laundering, on the Russian payroll? I'm sure it is the second. He is the most damaging low-life ever. He isn't smart enough to have orchestrated this perfect storm that is destroying our democracy. The bad guys are in control. Please, help us Congress. Senators, are you getting anything that is worth the shame you are self-inflicting on your name and how you will be remembered in history? This was never supposed to be about you. You swore an oath to serve your country...not yourselves and not your dictator. Stand up to trump and turn this around. Maybe it isn't too late to do the heroic thing.
1
The great Republican clock burning begins, and their great attempt to run out the clock for Congressional justice against Trump.
As long as the Republican party protects this criminal president, the more opportunity they have to flood the American courts with Alt-Right judges.
2
The time has come for Democrats to take off the kid gloves & fight for democracy. Americans have had enough of this law breaking, lying, scheming president & his complicit & equally dishonest greed based GOP. No more talk, just do whatever it takes to get this immoral administration out. We've lost respect from our allies, have had our election process seriously compromised, deal with the most inadequate cabinet members who got their positions because of favors & have become the laughingstock of the world. Things get worse by the day. Congressional democrats-grow a spine, do your jobs & stop this insanity.
3
This is a redacted version of an article published at
http://deyanbrashich.squarespace.com/home/2019/4/29/call-his-bluff.html
The United States Capital Police established in 1828 to and carry out its lawful mandates. Since 1867 the Capital Police is the only federal law enforcement force under the direct control of Congress and responsible to the Sergeants at Arms of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Capital Police has the “authority to make arrests and otherwise enforce the laws of the United States” for crimes committed in the designated area known as the Capital Grounds which includes the both Houses of Congress. [2 USC 1967]
Acts of contempt of Congress occur on Capital grounds when a person refuses to honor Congressional mandate. The Committee can issue a contempt citation and the person cited, in this case Mnuchin is arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms and “brought to the floor of the Camber, held to answer charges by the presiding officer, and then subjected to punishment as the chamber may dictate [usually imprisonment for punishment reasons, imprisonment for coercive effect, or release … ]. In exercising this power, the Capital Police charged with enforcing the laws of the United States can arrest Mnuchin and hold them subject to Congress’ inherent contempt authority.
The Supreme Court ruled Congress’ action just, proper and constitutional, see Jurney v MacCracken, 294 US 125 (1935).
1
We know Trump is a liar. Among the many lies, it should have been game over when lied about not paying Stormy Daniels on Air Force One. In regards to hiding his tax returns, Trump is most likely broke. He has over borrowed and his empire is a house of cards. How many of his companies have gone bust and declared bankruptcy? He stole money from his own charity to buy none other than a $60,000 painting of himself! No bank in the United States will loan his company a dime! Think about that. He is the POTUS and no U.S. bank will risk another dollar on him. The only bank that would give Trump a loan was Deutsche Bank and that is being investigated. All of Trump's overtures to Putin is for one thing: a deal with Putin and Russian oligarchs to build Trump Hotel in Moscow and to have a new source of funds to keep up his charade. Trump has abused his power as the POTUS in a traitorous back door deal with the Russians for his own personal wealth and survival. Get his tax returns!
When are Mnuchin, Barr and Trump going to learn that it is not their right to tell Congress when and what to investigate. The Executive branch is there to execute and enforce the laws passed by Congress and in it this branch of government that decides what laws to pass and why. So, shut up and follow the Constitution..
5
Trump's administration looks more and more like a crime family every day.
19
@ClydeMallory
*looks* more and more like?
3
When will illegal actions have consequences and the rule of law be restored? Enough is enough...
14
Is this not further evidence of an ongoing conspiracy to obstruct justice. Every cabinet member seems to be on board, as do, or so it appears, every Republican member of congress.
5
So, are all those who demanded that government be run like a business happy with what we are seeing? Even the bookkeeper is treating Congress like gas thieves in a pointless travel claim fiasco, just so he can sneer at them time to time.
7
This is strictly a matter of principle and there is absolutely nothing in the tax returns to hide. Nope. Nada. Nothing.
Do you have a minute? I'll like to show you a really wonderful bridge I have for sale...all stone, brick and cables, goes over the East River into Brooklyn. Cheap!
10
@David Principle you say? That is one of the funniest things I've heard all day. Trump doesn't have a principle in his entire body! Nor does anyone in his orbit or the Republican "enabler" Senate. Taken together they will go down in history as one of the most disgraceful examples of American governance (or lack thereof) in U. S. history. What a sad day for America!
How is Mnuchin able to simply ignore a Congressional Request and federal law without consequence? This has become simply ridiculous. Congress seemingly has no power and has become useless.
There's nothing to study here. Congress asked and the law was quite clear, the Treasury shall provide.
It's not looking good for the Rule of Law.
5
This rogue administration is now openly defying the Constitution, our laws and precedents at will. They are forcing a showdown and we will either submit to a totally lawless POTUS who clearly puts his own self interest and the interests of the hostile foreign power that helped him into office before everything else and become a dictatorship without a whimper, or recognize that this is the point at which we must fight to return our country to what our forefathers intended her to be. Trump is forcing a showdown. He has even openly talked about “deserving” to stay in office another two years because of the “coup” attempt of the Mueller investigation. The coup d’etat already occurred, and the result is the illicit erratic unqualified POTUS that is now openly defying all efforts to make him follow our established laws. We are at the point we either resist however necessary, or accept that we have become a dictatorship without a fight.
4
Arrest him for contempt of Congress. Arrest the whole lot of them.
8
From the article:
'He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying' ...
What's wrong with that? Aren't we a nation of checks and balances? ALL our elected officials - regardless of party affiliation - should be held accountable.
51
@Marc: with "billionaire" djt as potus,
"check$ and balance$" take on a whole new meaning.
[it's not about collusion. much rather about corruption.]
1
More illegal actions from this abhorant administration. The law in question does not require a "legislative reason" as a condition to releasing the taxes of anyone. In fact, the law in question was *specifically* written to address corruption. Therefore oversight is a legitimate reason to release the taxes given that we have testimony under oath that the odds are high that there are inconsistencies in Trump's tax returns.
21
To paraphrase Hillary Clinton who recently recently said - given Barr determined there was no collusion in Trump doing so - why doesn't Biden (et al) just say "China, if you're listening, perhaps you can obtain a copy of Trump's tax returns. Our press will certainly be appreciative."
7
Mnuchin should be arrested for jail for defying a lawful request.
10
I'm shocked that anyone would be surprised by the cowardice of Mnuchin or any of the GOP flunkies in Trump's pockets.
I'm wondering what, exactly, does Trump have on these men and women that would make them quake in his presence.
I'm watching my country fall to it's knees and it makes me weep.
19
The should fast track this battle as Mnuchin has no basis to withhold the tax returns. None. It is a law that is no the books and until it is re-written to eliminate or revise the law for for political purposes, it is the law.
Note, Congress would re-write the tax code and make all tax filings public - so the fact that there is a law allowing Congress to selectively request a tax return raises no Constitutional issue.
Finally, the Court's will recognize that Trump created this political liability by not voluntarily releasing his tax returns. Past Presidents side step this valid law by releasing their tax returns. Its a political price paid by prior Presidents, and Trump will now have to pay the same price of disclosing his tax returns.
5
Not appearing before Mueller (providing written answers), exhorting full-throated screaming about "total exoneration" re "collusion" (which is not even a legal construct), and not releasing taxes has ZERO to do with taking a stand on a moral high ground. It has everything to do with Trump being filthy in every dealing, every statement, every relationship in his life.
Disgusting.
23
"Not paying taxes makes me smart".........DJT
Not releasing his tax returns makes him a person of interest, and seemingly someone with something to hide.
33
he must have a lot to hide in his tax returns. the more protests he makes and the longer he delays just makes me want to see them more and more
9
Hardly a surprise. The Munchkin had no real choice if he hoped to retain his job. Since he is at best barely qualified to be Treasury secretary, staying loyal to Trump is no doubt his only real shot at retaining some form of national celebrity. And if he is indicted for violating the tax statutes, he will be comfortably perched at the top of Trump's pardon list.
The Democrats are going to have to decide at what point the cumulative effects of White House stonewalling become intolerable and push them over the edge on the impeachment issue. With Trump obstruction of justice will be the gift that keeps on giving.
Trump seems to believe the impeachment war will redound to his political advantage and he is happy to fight the Democrats on this turf. This recognition should inspire the House Democrats to think strategically and plan out their steps in an orderly fashion. Right now many seem to be futilely lashing out in self-righteous anger and frustration at each individual act of White House defiance. That's not going to work. That plays to Trump's strength.
Moral indignation can simply be a mask that hides fear and uncertainty. Among the older generation of Democratic politicians elected during the time of Reagan, caution and timidity are deeply ingrained. The feral Trump senses the weakness and will enjoy testing their courage.
3
So Trump does not allow WH people to be heard by Congress about Kushner's security clearance, he does not allow Mueller to be heard by Congress, Barr lies to Congress and ignores a subpoena, Mnuchin refuses orders from Congress and... the list is getting quite long by now. It all funnels into the Supreme Court and... I guess we know what will happen there.
Soon we will understand why McConnel fought so hard to keep Merrick Garland out.
So it goes.
5
If I refused a legal request I would face jail. Enforce the law and put these obstructors of justice in jail.
31
I cannot forget Steve and his wife flying to see the eclipse in Fort Knox, Kentucky and calling it a business trip. No one grifts better than an already rich Republican.
25
Their whole plan is that they have the Supreme Court, 5-4, so they don't have to comply with anything Congress wants. It's going to require a massive popular uprising in the streets, as the courts are packed and will be useless, and Congress relies on the Barr Justice Department to enforce its contempt citations. This is going to be really ugly.
18
China, if you're listening...
5
Mnuchin and Trump can both go to prison for failure to honor a lawful request.
4
To quote Richard Nixon, "The American people are entitled to know if their president is a crook..."
18
Is there really no one at the IRS with the inclination and ability to leak these things already? Enough is enough with this lawless autocracy.
11
I call upon the President of the United States to immediately fire the Treasury Secretary because the Treasury Secretary is not fulfilling his role; rather he is making a determination on "legislative purpose".
7
It is interesting to have an official of the administrative branch telling a congressional leader from the legislative branch that their request "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose". How can one legislate and fix something if they cannot investigate to see what is broken. Government by the people and for the people Mr. Mnuchin is what they teach in 5th grade...
6
A number of Americans suspect that Trump is a fraud, but have not seen the overwhelming evidence until now. He's hiding his tax returns from the American people and his supporters ( they are under audit). Yeah, right.
Nancy Pelosi is correct, impeachment is too good for Trump. I wish Lady Justice would lose her blindfold and legally whip Trump.
And once Lady Justice gets her legal-on, she give Mnuchin some of her attention.
I hope this comment is civil enough to pass the New York Times guys.
4
Since any charges for contempt against Mnuchin or Barr would have to be prosecuted by the Justice Department, Congress actually quite toothless is in the face of a corrupt administration like this one. Once you get the prosecutors and the courts under the thumb of a corrupt president, chances are good that the democratic republic will not hold.
5
We aren’t asking you, Steve. We are telling you.
Sincerely,
The American Public
32
I generally don't support breaking the law, but one would think there is one IRS employee who can be bought and one outside party with enough money to buy said employee and get them to leak Trump's tax returns - fight fire with fire...
6
Surprise. Like anyone expected this guy to cooperate. I pray our representatives follow up forcefully.
5
Absolutely shameless swamp creatures.
9
Mnuchin is a lackey who is putting his job over Country and Constitution. This is what excess greed looks like. The Democrats must follow through on their right to request these documents or our Democracy is lost. It is stunning what lengths these cabinet members will go to in order to stay in Trump´s good graces. They seem to have no sense of decency, legacy or history. The swamp is corrupt and Mnuchin is just one plant in the swamp. This is the kind of biodiversity we could do without.
3
I wish I could say I was surprised, but I'm not. History will not look kindly on all of the people who aided, abetted, covered-up, assisted, helped, supported, promoted, or encouraged Trump.
Even after 2+ years, I'm still baffled by these people. Don't have they an ounce of shame? Not one iota of guilt that they're helping in the downfall of our country? And what of their reputation? At the very least, don't they care about that?
6
So this is the country now that the troops suffered and died for in WWII to get rid of fascism in Europe?
Come a long, long way.
Shame.
4
I'm betting Trump is adamant against his tax returns being exposed because he isn't nearly as rich as he claims he is.
It appears our best hope and swiftest remedy is to overwhelmingly vote Trump out of office in 2020, along with his sub-mediocre cabinet and advisers.
3
"Th Night Tweeter" said he would provide his taxes after the election. We trusted him. Where are they? Now he say's he'll never release them. Do you suppose an honorable, ethical, moral, law abiding fellow like "The Night Tweeter", could have be cheating on his taxes for years and doesn't want the world to know?
2
The disrespect shown by Republicans to American institutions is absolutely stunning. These are the people who keep shrieking "we're a nation of laws!" Absolutely stunning.
6
The IRS has reviewed Trump’s returns over the years. These are not public records. I some cases, they’ve audited. In some years, they have not.
Should this go to the SC, they will either choose not to entertain it or will side with the Executive Branch.
2
It is looking like Trump has weeded out all of the "legitimate" officials he was able to appoint. Now he has the most dangerous sycophants in the executive and legislative branches because individuals like Mnuchin, Barr and of course elected officials like McConnell are pedigreed. What frightens me is whether the judicial branch with Kavanaugh, Thomas and Alito will make what is happening a fete accompli.
5
What do Republicans not understand about the word shall. The law is simple, it says "shall turn over" returns when requested. It does not give a list of acceptable reasons. Munuchin is breaking the law.
8
One legitimate purpose Congress has is to find out what the President's financial interests are and what conflicts they present so that they can outlaw candidates for the Presidency from having such divided interests.
2
I've seen a lot of comments that what he's most afraid of is it being shown he's not as rich as he claims. Which, definitely. If he's worth TEN BILLION DOLLARS like his farce of a financial disclosure claimed, then I'm the Queen of England.
But I don't think that's the biggest thing he's hiding. It's not just that he's indebted up to his orange ears, it's not just that he's not a billionaire like he claims, it's that he's laundering money for Russians, for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, for anyone who will give him cash to clean and let him skim some off the top. He's a criminal, full stop, and if he isn't terrified of where investigations into his finances will lead, he should be.
5
Seems to me that someone as “successful” as Trump, “one of the biggest dealmaking billionaires on the planet,” or so he says, would gladly release his tax returns to show us all how terrific he is at making money. Alas, Trump’s a fraud, and releasing his information would confirm that, when debt is subtracted from profit (and minus the financial shenanigans he is well known for), Trump is worth less than someone’s Aunt Shirley, retired as a clerk from the post office. And then there’s all that dirty mob money. Someday we will see his taxes. Trump just has to tick off the wrong person, which could happen tomorrow.
549
@Pietro Allar
someone’s Aunt Shirley, retired from the post office, is probably a bona fide public servant and worth way more than the current occupant of the White House - I mean as far as character is concerned
57
@Pietro Allar
Exactly! There's only one big question hanging over all this executive-level bluster: "What's he hiding this time?"
39
@Pietro Allar Tax returns don't show net worth. They show income. And they can be very misleading. It's a shame that all presidential candidates have been shamed into releasing them. Politicians deserve privacy too.
2
Laws are for the little people.
- The Trump administration
16
What could Trump possibly be hiding in his taxes that he would not want the public to see? Money laundering is my educated guess. Our legislatures are being held hostage by a man obstructing any and all forms of accountability. You cannot read the Mueller report (and I read all 448 pages) and not come away with what is missing.... It has been and will always be about the money.
533
Trump's tax returns will show a complex web of tax avoidance, where Trump ends up paying a lower rate of tax on his income, than his lowest paid employees.
They will also show Trump has not been generous in donating to worthy causes. Trump has claimed to having donated much to veterans groups. Releasing his tax returns would confirm his generosity or show he has not anywhere near as generous as he has claimed.
If his tax returns were a positive for him, they would have been released years ago.
526
It is all about where the money came from, and not how much or how little taxes he paid.
17
@Barry of Nambucca I think you are right about the reasons why Donald Trump does not want to release his tax returns. But isn't that his right?
The law gives certain Congressional officials the right to look at tax returns in closed session. When, as here, they plan to immediately vote to disclose the tax returns to the public their purpose is clearly to politically embarrass the president.
Isn't that an abuse of the law for political purposes?
5
Cite Mnuchin and Barr for contempt and lock them up. Next time they appear before Congress, they can show up in orange jumpsuits and chains.
5
It's been alleged that Trump varied his assets depending on whether he was submitting his tax returns or applying for bank loans. That is illegal, as the Secretary of the Treasury of all people, surely knows -- nothing political about it. If Neal doesn't get there, NYS AG Letitia James will.
5
If a committee wishes to write a preventative law, this ought to be a legitimate legislative purpose. If an oversight committee wishes to investigate a potential crime, this ought to be a legitimate legislative purpose. There seem to be any number of legitimate legislative purposes. Is this just another case of this administration's winging it?
3
Steven Mnuchin, add co-conspirator to his resume.
4
Trump is really good at killing deals at the last minute.
1
@Character Counts
The law may grant absolute authority in crystal clear words and have precedent for being used by both sides of the aisle in the past, for political purposes or otherwise, but neither clarity nor precedent is going to prove to be an ironclad defense in times like these.
The GOP has the court and all else equal, their justices would like to find a justification for striking it down so as to protect their man. There will be an army of lawyers looking to come up with any sort of legal theory those five justices might latch on to.
The big question is, can they devise a fig leaf to justify the court's changing that clause of the law that will be figgy and leafy enough for all five GOP justices, or will one or more defect?
Unfortunately the question is unlikely to be answered for a while (and an ancillary question is, can the administration gum up the works enough that the case becomes moot?).
1
Mnuchin is somewhat correct in calling the request political. It is one party calling out something that the other party is hiding that has a very strong chance of illuminating obvious corruption on the President’s part. Let’s hope they all eventually get what they truly deserve.
2
"He has warned that if the I.R.S. releases Mr. Trump’s returns, then lawmakers from both parties could be vulnerable to such prying. "
Oh no, I would hate for the public to know what was in our elected officials' tax returns! That would be terrible!
10
@donow. Aren’t you more concerned with career politicians who come to D.C. near penniless but leave 30 yrs later a multi-millionaire? I know private citizen Trump was rich, but he’s the rare politician who came to D.C. wealthy and will leave office in 6yrs worth less money.
2
Congress needs to do three things and they need to do them immediately. 1. Serve Mnuchin with a SDT requiring him to deliver the tax returns to Congress. 2. Draft the paperwork necessary to have the Court hold him in contempt when he refuses to comply with the subpoena. 3. Hold Mnuchin in contempt of Congress and place him under arrest for refusing to comply with the Committee's request based on his ill thought out interpretation of the statue.
It's going to wind up in SCOTUS so let's get the ball rolling.
10
Well said!
2
Demands repeating:
We are a nation of laws. The law is specific that certain people in Congress have the right to ask for anyone's tax return, and that the IRS "shall furnish" those returns. That law was created specifically because the Executive Branch had been caught taking bribes in the 1920's.
You don't like that law, do you (Addison) Mitch? Well change it. Until then the IRS needs to cough up those tax returns.
And Hello, Deutsche Bank, if you're out there. If you're listening: Please cooperate with the US Congress and provide them with the records they're requesting.
5
The law that Congress is utilizing follows a mandatory course. The Congress may request to see any taxpayer's filings with the I.R.S., and the I.R.S. will comply with that request. That seems pretty direct and obvious to me, and I don't understand the President's or the Treasury Secretary's problem with complying. Mr. Trump and Mr. Mnuchin do not have to follow our laws? Can they make up their own?
4
Interesting that Mnuchin felt he had to consult with the DOJ about releasing Trump's taxes. Why didn't he consult with the head of the IRS?
Also, don't both the IRS and Treasury have their own lawyers? Did they tell Mnuchin that he didn't have a case, and that's why Mnuchin then went to the DOJ, knowing Barr would side with him?
4
It’s time for the Democratic-led House to decide whether this is still a nation of laws or if that is gone and we are now a nation of Trump. They have tools at their disposal to deal with this. Will they stand up to the bully or back down? A nation awaits.
3
So the executive branch decides for the legislative branch what constitutes a "legitimate" purpose?
I think that's spelled T-Y-R-A-N-N-Y.
10
Mnuchin just violated the law. It says "shall provide" without any caveats.
My view is probably extreme, but I think he should be held in contempt of Congress and arrested by the House Sergeant At Arms. Then, he can have his day in criminal court.
8
Much better for the Democrats if Trump hasn't released his taxes by the time the 2020 election comes along. Sure, Democrats should go through the motions of expressing outrage but the bottom line is Trump not releasing his tax returns hurts him in the polls.
3
"...Mr. Mnuchin said that the demand amounted to “exposure for the sake of exposure...
Have been completely at odds with what's Mnuchin's said or done, many times...
Especially when he's said one thing and done another...
This isn't one of those times...
The Dems fancy themselves a moderating force on what they perceive as current excesses...
Be interesting to see on what current excesses moderate Dems see themselves as a moderating force...
2
Either Democrats needs to enforce their subpoenas immediately or throw up their hands, admit that they've given up on checks, balances, and co-equal branches of government, and congratulate Putin on his success
3
More lawlessness from the crooks running the Trump administration.
2
This administration has continually sought to undermine our system of laws and produce and autocratic state, immune from the will of the people. The only question that remains is whether it is too late to stop them.
3
At least the Republicans are consistent. When Obama was President, the Republicans obstructed and stonewalled him for 8 years. Now, a Republican President and the Republican Party are obstructing and stonewalling the rule of law because the Democrats control the House.
The Republicans have long acted like any Democratic majority and/or President is illegitimate. Evidently, this is their country and we just haven't figured that out yet.
4
Every American has a right to keep his or her tax returns secrets, and that includes the president. PERIOD. FULL STOP.
1
@Neal Kluge
Wrong. Congress has the right to see them, but they won't be publicly released.
4
@Neal Kluge 1924 law gives congressional committees that set tax policy the power to examine tax returns. It was used in 1974 when Congress looked at President Richard Nixon's returns, and in 2014 when the Ways and Means Committee released confidential tax information as part of its investigation into the Internal Revenue Service's handling... Daily Kos 2/11/17
1
Everyone elected to or running for public office should reveal 5-10 years of income taxes. It is unthinkable a politician has the right to withhold vital information from the electorate.
5
Mr. Trump behaves in ways that he thinks please his supporters. But in fact it is the behavior of someone desperate to keep dark secrets and hide wrongdoing. If he succeeds, the nation is in deep, deep - perhaps terminal - trouble.
2
Don't waste time and let Trump run out the clock with a lawsuit (besides, he installed Kavanaugh, who has radical views of Executive power, for exactly this reason).
Just add this to the Articles of Impeachment and IMPEACH.
2
I wouldn’t put it past the republicans to have this all planned out and the democrats are just playing into their hands. My guess is that there is nothing showing criminal activity in his tax returns (even though I would love there to be). I suspect that the administation and the republicans in the senate have this whole ruse set up as entrapment to make the democrats look bad after another 2 year investigation.
1
How on Earth can an executive branch appointee decide what is a "legitimate legislative purpose"???
1
What are these people thinking? That they can continue to obstruct justice until... what? Until some Republican senators can't take it anymore and dump Trump? Until their base sees the light? Until law enforcement officers descend on them in one big swoop? Until Putin gives new orders?
1
And the supreme court, having been stacked by the repubs (rabid reptiles), will side with Trump.
So ends our republic. Historically, republics always fail.
1
I just looked at my new dictionary, can’t find honesty or transparency anymore.
1
Trump is hopelessly bad at hiding the truth.
I still laugh when I remember him saying, "I'm very rich." That's what somebody who is not very rich says when they want you to believe that they are very rich. And if you have half a brain, you immediately realize that they not very rich - otherwise, they would not say "I'm very rich."
The breadth and depth of calculated disregard for governmental norms by the Trump regime grows by the minute.
Again, we find Trump is lying; this time about IRS audit as the excuse for non-release of tax forms. IF it were as Trump claims, Mnuchin would have stated this.
Munchin, however, shows his arrogance and stupidity by claiming "lacks legislative purpose". If Mnunchin weren' t such a lacky and if he were even modestly informed about the constitutional responsibilities of the House, he would understand their pursuit of the tax records is to meet their constitutional duty of oversight. And considering the revelations in the Mueller Report and unrefuted by Deutche Bank news reports about DB's very questionable behavior concerning Trump, as well as Trump's lawyer providing, at Trump's direction, false financial reports to DB in efforts to secure loans. . .for the House NOT to pursue all information, they would be disregarding their oath to the constitution.
Unless our country quickly removes this cabal of self-serving thieves whose primary objective is self-enrichment, we will have no country remaining. . .only a newly formed autocracy collecting rents from oligarchs (Russia & China , American style).
DO NOT IMPEACH THIS LYING GRIFTER! As matters stand, any indictment will be followed by a matching pardon from Pence.
Instead, initiate impeachment proceedings to elevate congress' powers to investigate.
Patiently collect evidence, and only indict at the federal level when a democratic president has been sworn in.
1
Trump may have gotten away with this sort of behavior operating his "businesses", but it most certainly won't fly in his position as a public civil servant.
No sympathy for this level of arrogance. Let the subpoena's begin.
I guess it is time to see if the conservatives on the Supreme Court really care about the Law.
2
The statute at issue does not require a purpose. It only requires a request (or demand). I am looking forward to hearing the Justices who purport to favor strict and literal construction of statutes--something Justice Scalia claimed to do--try to dodge their way out of this one. The statute says what it says.
1
It appears that the most embarrassing thing to be revealed by Trump's tax returns is that he is a billionaire in his mind only. His wealth will be revealed to be the product of one big Ponzi scheme that has gone on for decades. Once Mr. "Art of the Deal" is exposed as the snake oil charlatan everyone knows him to be, even his well honed talent for lying and deception will fail him.
414
The irony is that his devoted followers would not stray, even so...
17
@T Kelly I look forward to seeing Trump led to prison in leg irons and handcuffs, accompanied by McConnell and the rest of the cabal, similarly attired.
24
Or perhaps not. Money laundering and deep connections to the Russians are just a couple of possibilities that come to mind. The NYT has already proved that Trump has been a tax cheat for decades.
23
Lock him up! What is Pelosi waiting for!?!?!
Pelosi needs to go if she won’t do her job.
1
What's all the hubbub about? The President has said on several occasions that he'll release his returns once the I.R.S. is finished with their eternal audit. So all we have to do is wait for forever. Laws are for losers.
6
Of course. Pathetic that congress doesn’t just simply do their jobs but are obsessed with muckraking and “getting” Trump somehow anyhow
Shame on Dem
1
Come on! You paid your taxes. I paid mine. What are they hiding?
2
@Michael, show me your tax return, Michael ?
It is private
Politics run amok
1
At what point do the lying, obstructionist Republicans get what’s coming to them? They have become a corrupt joke and seem to trample the Constitution for fun. The Founding Fathers would tat and feather these treasonous snakes.
6
A photograph of this man, in the dictionary, next to the word sycophant. That and of course, now, felon. Congress is the law.
4
Lock Him Up !
Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury Secretary, is breaking the law!
5
Hold Mnuchin in contempt of Congress and move to impeach him for obstruction of justice.
2
Contempt of Congress is an impeachable offense. Jail to the Chief!
12
How about a redacted version?
Criminal from the surface to the core.
4
This from the party that cheered some idiot on when he said he could "stand in the middle of 5th avenue and shoot someone and not lose any voters."
You deserve whatever happens to you.
With luck, you lose every election from small town city councils across America to the Presidency for next 100 years because of your abdication to your (previously) hated Commies and now Trump.
Some Patriots you turned out to be.
12
So now the executive branch and not the legislature decides what a "legitimate legislative purpose" is. If the courts decide this case in the Treasury Department's favor, good-bye parliamentary government.
24
Once again, obfuscation/blocking of a legitimate Congressional investigation.
Additionally, Trump repeatedly promised he'd release his tax returns after an audit was completed. No audits take over 2 years and his non-released returns were filed (if they were) more than 2 years ago.
What is the president hiding and why is he hiding it?
15
Under pressure, Mr. Mnuchin will probably release a 4-page summary of the President's taxes that will indicate that the President is generally compliant, with a few interpretive issues remaining for the IRS to resolve. Without reading the summary, Trump will claim that he is completely exonerated from any impropriety, and, in fact, overpaid his taxes over the years. He will then demand a hefty refund.
16
@Debbie I can see The Times' headline now, "IRS/Treasury Find No Trump Taxes Conspiracy."
2
@Debbie Thanks for the laugh. Although it's a pity that it's no laughing matter!
I would think that, since the law is quite clear about "shall furnish", someone lower ranking who furnished those returns without Mr. Mnuchin's permission would be guilty of nothing more than defying his boss.
14
@By George
More like doing their job. Per request of Congress, of course.
1
How about us seeing the tax returns of the members on congress? That ought to be a hoot!
Trump's Internal Revenue Service Commissioner is Chuck Rettig. Rettig said he believed one thing, before Trump nominated him to head the IRS: "Trump should not release his tax returns". Rettig coincidentally owns a condo at a Trump-branded development in Hawaii. Trump's IRS chief counsel is Michael Desmond. He has “briefly advised the Trump Organization on tax issues before Trump took office.” Desmond has also worked in a private practice with tax lawyers of the Trump Organization. Who needs logic when you can appoint shills and quislings to run cover for you, and Mitch McConnell will ensure their confirmation?
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Another conflict of interest in an administration that promised to drain the swamp.
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I think we know how the supreme court will rule on this one.
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Contempt right now. No delays. If Mnuchin and others like him want to defy Congress as a co-equal branch of government, then they need to pay a high price. Do it now.
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To the House of Representatives: please hold Steve Mnuchin in contempt along with Barr. Maybe we will get to the point that the whole self-serving cabinet will be in contempt.
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With Gorsuch and Kavanaugh now seated, we will see partisanship rear it's ugly head at the Supreme Court. Congress has the right to see the returns under the "committee access" provision from 1924. That provision does specify that there needs to be a "legitimate legislative purpose" for the request, so Mnuchin's denial has backing, but it seems that simple concern over whether Trump's finances have put him in a compromised position would justify the request. It will be interesting to read the majority's opinion as they deny Congress the returns.
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I've predicted for some time that America will most likely descend into a near-fascist state of government. It's really inevitable. Most large societies and/or civilizations of the past have done so. It seems very clear that the moral degenerate, Trump, is what Mussolini referred to as a corporatist. Fascism, being the most extreme expression of right wing ideology, certainly seems to be on our doorstep. Recall Sinclair Lewis' novel, "It Can't Happen Here," from 1935? His character, Windrip, is very Trumpian.
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To every tax payer, refuse to pay your taxes, and if the IRS comes knocking, ignore.
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What do Republican Presidents Harding (Teapot Dome), Nixon (Watergate), and Trump (Russian entanglements) all have in common?
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