"The court has repeatedly affirmed the validity of congressional actions taken within the “sphere of legitimate legislative activity” — and it has recognized that this sphere is far-reaching, encompassing “inquiries concerning the administration of existing laws as well as proposed or possibly needed statutes.”
----Therein lies the problem. There is no clear legislative purpose here. None. They simply want to go on a fishing expedition to ty to find something embracing or impeachable in the eyes of the public. The precedent for this request is actually quite terrifying. It would mean that the Congress can...at any time, for any reason (or none at all)...subpoena any citizen's tax returns to "investigate." If they can do this to the President of the United States, they surely won't hesitate to use it for business leaders, public figures, or even other private citizens who oppose whatever party is in power.
In reality, this is all a sideshow. The DOJ, IRS and Trump himself will fight it is court every step of way. Even if the Dems eventually win at SCOTUS, it will take years. The general public doesn't really care either way, except the hardcore partisans and politicians (and the media). The NYT just released ten years of transcripts and analysis from 1985-94. Check social media. It hit with the thud of a frozen turkey. If anything, it makes him look better. He lost a billion dollars and only grew more successful.
3
Since these are supposedly co-equal branches of government, then does not Trump have the right to see their tax returns?
4
The House, which flipped last year in large part because of demands for actual oversight, needs to smack Mnuchin with a contempt charge then work toward putting him in jail. No more pussyfooting! These administration officials who ignore legitimate requests for information and testimony from the House (don't just say its House Democrats) need to be put on notice, and if that means jail time to help straighten them out, then so be it.
1558
@brian Well, most of the cases are civil, not criminal. But there is some doubt Donald would comply with a court ruling. Then what?
18
@brian: Mnuchin's own tax returns probably resemble Jared Kushner's: all income written-off by paper losses.
69
@brian, the people put you in power, it doesn’t mean immunity.
36
"Sorry"?!? NO!! Mnuchin has NO right to be involved IN ANY WAY, with the House demand to get the traior's tax returns.
THE LAW IS CLEAR.
We are actually in a Constitutional crisis, with the Executive branch REFUSING to accept the Constitutionally-defined role of Congress to oversee the executive branch.
THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED.
1235
@Slann It appears there is no way to stop the admin. Congress has been neutered. They can huff and puff all they want, but the oligarchs are not yielding. Unless some shining knight comes to our rescue, our democracy is ending.
54
@Civics teacher. No, this is not the final outcome! Congress will be going to court !
33
@Slann. all he needs to do is stall till past the next election. this will go to the courts and wallow for years unless it goes priority to SCOTUS. but, if the legislative branch looses: be careful of what you ask for.
6
Steve Mnuchin, who conveniently forgot to disclose $100 MILLION of his own during the nomination process for the post he now holds, is only acting true to form of everyone associated with this administration -- namely to hold himself above the law.
810
Similar to his reaction to the Mueller report, Mr. Trump sounds pretty desperate. In that case, his "Total Exoneration!" reaction has been completely replaced by his "Total Hit Job!" conclusion. That happened overnight when somebody told him what the Mueller report actually said. Then when Mr. Barr's blatant attempt at a coverup got shredded, there is no place left to hide.
The Russians meddled bigtime in the election, Mr. Trump committed obstruction, and apparently he has some emoluments clause issues to boot. Yes, desperate seems appropriate.
364
@Steve Kennedy
The problem is that Trump is hiding in plain daylight with about 20 million people or more actually believing what he says. Thanks to his say-anything-for-a-buck partners, Fox News, he is a winning the war he is waging on the free press. He's betting he can win the narrative with an onslaught of lies that will also win him reelection and another House Majority. He may be right about it, as much as I hate to say it. It's incredibly tragic.
29
@Steve Kennedy
To say the Russians meddled is to minimize the damage and severity of what happened. It was an attack on our electoral system, and so far there's been no interest shown by the Executive or the repub Senate in taking steps to prevent another one.
28
It is scary to contemplate a world without the most powerful country in the world supporting democracy. (At least in first-world western countries: The US have interfered more than enough in countries outside of that select group.) In Europe we are starting to feel what we are missing. Please come back soon!!
21
The Constitution has not really ever been used till our President miraculously appeared!! Nowhere in the Constitution does this invasion of privacy appear!! Time for both sides to man up and end the hissy fits which only waste time for the country!! The end of this is near!!
Ah, it's dishonest cherry-picking season again at the NYT. Right from the start! First paragraph:
"As to whether Congress may obtain a president’s tax returns, there is no ambiguity: Federal law empowers the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee to submit a written request to the Treasury Department, which oversees the Internal Revenue Service, for “any return or return information.” The Treasury secretary then “shall furnish” the requested information to the committee so that it may conduct its legislative functions."
Conveniently, the NYT ignores the rest of the statute. I will provide it, since the NYT can't be bothered:
"(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."
EXCEPT a return that identifies a "particular taxpayer". This includes the POTUS, as it does for us all.
1
Manuchin just admitted that the end result is "predictable". Well! Now what do we do?
Congress , congress, congress, yawn.
Publicity addicts. Look at me! Look at me!
1
Yes, pull back the curtain to reveal the phony Wizard of Biz. This travesty has gone on far too long.
1
Amazed at some of the Russian Republican comments. Are they coming directly from Russia or are all Republicans Russians. Not a question. They are clearly not American.
4
If Congress seriously wants Trump's returns so that it can evaluate legislation to require presidential candidates to release their returns, it should also ask for the returns of Obama, Bush 43, and Clinton, and perhaps also Hillary and Mitt, in order to see if anything important could be gleaned.
Of course, it cannot make this personal information public.
Or, if the real reason for the request is to troll for material to support an impeachment, the issue would become whether impeachment constitutes "legislation" under the IRS law.
2
Send in the lawyers! Or the law professors, anyway. ANdy Grewald is a law professor at the University of Iowa. He just put out a draft of a long paper reviewing taxpayer privacy policy from the Civil War to Trump and Chairman Neal.
His gist - with an impeachment process it would be almost impossible for the Trump Administration to resist this request.
But coming from the House Ways and Means Committee, the legislative intent is arguably pretextual, and that legislative intent is absolutely something the courts look at.
He projects a tough slog for Chairman Neal. Abstract:
This Article examines whether congressional committees enjoy the unrestricted authority to demand a President’s tax returns. It concludes that they do not. Though a federal statute seemingly compels the IRS to furnish, on request, anyone’s tax returns to some congressional committees, a statute cannot transcend the constitutional limits on Congress’s investigative authority. Congress enjoys a near-automatic right to review a President’s tax returns only in the impeachment context.
[Circumstances may change but currently...] the Article expresses doubt that the Committee’s request satisfies the relevant constitutional standard.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3381974
Do note: Grewald is Federalist Society so progressives will want to ignore his cites and discount immediately.
2
What’s to be sorry about. NYT man up. It’s the law. Just do it!
1
My theory as to why Mr. Trump has been so reluctant to show his tax returns is that he has been writing off his campaign expenses against business income, on the grounds that they were all along just a publicity stunt to promote the Trump brand name, with no serious expectation of or interest in winning.
6
Sorry, but congress only has the RIGHT to ask for anyone's tax return.
There are rules regulating tax return releases.
1
Besides the question of whether Mr Trump's tax records must be given to Congress, there's the question of why he wants to hide them. Unlike the summary financial and tax information published by the New York imes today, tax records include detail accounts of income and spending, and calim for tax credits etc.
So what is Mr Trump trying to hide? Are those billion dollar losses already revealed based on, er, dubious accounting?
4
I knew it was a bad idea to over pursue the tax thing. DNC was convinced he was a tax cheat and now he's just a bad businessman. This is another disaster for the dnc. I've said from the beginning they just keep over playing everything, the russia, thig the tax thing what is next? They should just focus on the election, which they will lose. There are no bold ideas, and defnitely zero energy behind joe or bernie.
2
If the democrats requests for tax returns is as legitimate as they say it is, to conduct oversight on how the IRS conducts reviews, let's get Trumps tax returns, along with several other prominent millionaires and billionaires Like Steyer, Bloomberg, Zuckerberg ad others and do it properly. Not gonna happen!
3
If the President of the United States isnt safe from malicious prosecution, what chance does a poor black man stand?
5
The Democrats are committed to staging a coup. They spied on the Trump campaign. They refused to accept the election results. They made up lies about Russia and demanded an investigation. They got their investigation, and when it totally exonerated President Trump they refused to accept the results. Now they are illegally demanding his tax returns. When President Trump’s tax returns prove him innocent the crazy Democrats will demand something else. These crazed fascist Democrats want to overturn a free and fair election simply because they don’t like the results. High treason!
6
Where did you get the idea that the tax request is illegal, everything I’ve read says it is LEGAL. I understand you might wish it to be illegal, but that doesn’t make it so.
5
Where did you read “total exoneration “ it pretty much says cannot exonerate. Read it again, slowly, and this time, take off the rose tinted glasses.
4
It is heartening to see that several influential states have proposed laws that, in order to get on the ballot, require any presidential candidate to first disclose some number of years of their federal tax returns.
Thank god! If the feds are impotent, at least there may be hope in the states.
8
@Bobcb->
Very soon, there will not be one person who will want to run for office EXCEPT for Dem types who are in it for the money and have no sense of honesty.
This editorial proves that we need President Trump now more than ever. He is all that stands between us and the left wing fascists that want to abolish all civil and human rights in the name of socialist glory
4
Your wrong it doesn't tax returns for political reasons. Do you really want to live in a political systems where the opposing party can weaponize investigations for simple political power? Its banana republic actions. What if the IRS decided Polosi, Schumer and their families or anyone that asks questions has to fork over their tax returns which are very subjective? How about we look at the tax returns of John Mark Thompson and see if the DNC is paying him off to support the DNC with the NY Times or taking deductions coirrectly or underreporting income? Did he claim all the private jet travel as income? I am sure you would agree the people have a right to know since this paper is so political. Please step back and look at the whole picture. But then again the means are justified by the ends don't they?
4
"What if the IRS decided Polosi, Schumer and their families or anyone that asks questions has to fork over their tax returns which are very subjective?"
Your overall comment is on the right track, but the IRS *already has* their tax returns.
It is a Democrat-controlled *congressional* committee that is asking for Trump's tax returns. See Mnuchin's letter, which is linked here:
Steven Mnuchin Refuses to Release Trump’s Tax Documents to Congress
By Alan Rappeport
May 6, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/06/us/politics/trump-tax-returns-mnuchin.html
1
Please, ESL is available.
1
So Mnuchin consulted with Barr be/4 deciding he didn't have to follow Federal Law. Well, then, it's OK. I guess "...SHALL furnish..." doesn't mean what I think it does.
4
We didn't elect a king or dictator. We purportedly elected a President. We don't have to settle for a grifter.
Congress, an equivalent and not a subordinate branch of government, pursuant to the Constitution, has the right, and also pursuant to law as well, has the right to obtain the tax returns of individuals and entities for purposes of investigation.
Mnuchin should spend more time on his job, and less time galavanting around the country and world with his wife, on the taxpayers dime.
5
@Quandry
Congress an equivalent branch? Sure, but Dems only control one half of congress. Dems are not 'congress' as a whole.
Seems the Dems are forgetting who controls the other half of their one third.
As our third rate banana republic despot attempts to usurp the constitutional power of the Congress, the question is, will McConnell defend the Constitution and the institution of Congress, or, grovel at the feet of the despot?
I believe the latter as the members of the Greedy Old Parasites fear Trump and his minions.
So, Trump wins, the country loses, and we march ever closer to a ruler rather than a president.
The winning.
5
@Dan
If you are ok with Dems using power this way keep one thing in mind. No party has permanent control and what Dems are doing to a GOP president will be done by the GOP to a future Democratic President.
Just like when Harry busted the filibuster rule on appointments. Dems found out the hard way that sauce for the goose is still sauce for the gander.
1
A little like the GOP used it’s powers of obstruction on the previous Democrat president. You do remember Mitch McConnells pledge regarding making Obama a one term president, and his Merrill Garland fiasco, you do remember, right ? ? So , yeah, I guess you’re correct about the what goes around, comes around dilemma.
3
To all that feel that this is congressional overreach, harassment, politics, simply substitute Barack Obama where you see Donald Trump. Or even better, substitute Hillary Clinton for every mention of Trump. Fill in with the appropriate attorney general, etc. See how you feel then about Congress’ oversight ability and whether it’s necessary or only harassment (Benghazi anyone?).
1
@zoe
Pointing out there is hypocrisy in DC is like pointing out that water is wet.
All shoes would be on the other foot if we were to substitute a President Hillary for a President Trump.
The GOP would be in the firing squad and the Dems and media would be defending her.
No, they really don’t, there is no law on the books requiring the president to produce his tax records, absolutely none
5
Congress is co-equal. Mnuchin is as much a criminal as Trump. Hold him in contempt, fine him, and request that the DoJ intervene and take the returns. If America allows an autocrat to thumb his nose at our representatives in Congress, we're in a dictatorship, pure and simple.
7
Sorry NYT, Congress does not have the right to Trumps tax returns. This is a fishing expedition, pure and simple, with NO evidence of any tax related crime.
3
“So that it may conduct its LEGISLATIVE functions”. Case closed.
Isn't there a likelihood that Trump was involved in money laundering as part of his sales of luxury apartments in Trump Tower at inflated prices to Russians. The House should investigate this from his personal and business tax returns
6
Who does he think he is? Mr. Steve Mnuchin thinks he is privileged. He then says Trump is privileged. I am sick of all of these stooges. They are not privileged, they are beholden to all of us, even when most of us are not as rich as they are. So why are they not being thrown out of office? How long are we "the people" going to tolerate this obstruction? To me the answer is coming. And it will be in 2020. We "the people" will show who is privileged, constitutionally that is. Let's stop being mealy mouthed and take the actions we are entitled to take. Throw them out.
5
@Dan
Really you are that excited about someone's tax returns? Seriously?
Tax returns will show the worst possible results. Think about it.
Who cares anyway?
Is it going to change your life if Trump's tax returns are provided to the media?
You feel morally outraged by Trump!
Get used to it.
That’s what Trump does!
He yanks your chain.
I love watching the comments of all these people who have such strong opinions of something that is nonsense.
It’s curious how the democrats and their media lapdogs are trying to oust President Trump at the same time he is responding to Iranian aggression. It’s almost as if the Democrats are on Iran’s payroll! Let’s investigate the media and the Democrats and see their tax returns! How deep does Iranian control over the media and the Democrats go?
1
It seems that Trump and Netanyahu are the disruptors of dialogue and creators of Iranian aggression. Simple old playbook from 2003 of righteous warrior Bush. Just paste in Iran wherever the old book has Iraq. Slam dunk, no?
1
Most of the country is totally ignoring this issue because the people holding pep rallies about it at CNN lied to us for over two years EVERY time they mentioned this President.
I suppose taxes will be the subject of the next 500K lying news ''articles.'' Thanks for completely killing off journalism as a profession in the United States.
1
The NYT just published an article in which printouts of Trump's returns in NY for a decade in the 80's and 90's showed a loss of over 1 Billion dollars and no tax paid. By far the biggest looser in the US according to the IRS. Something smells really bad.
5
Scream away, folks, Trump, et al won't listen or respond. They have already staked their claim to be above the law. Mnuchin is just another cog in the wheel.
This whole affair is beyond disgusting. Scofflaws all.
6
What the NYT is trying to say is that if you dare have thoughts they disagree with you lose all civil right secrets and all human rights. They’ll abuse the power of Big Government and law enforcement to harass you and intimidate you into silence
3
It's a nasty law that should be repealed...The President is also allowed, under 6301(g), access to anyone's return too!!..Great fund raising tool. Also good for the party in power to harass the oppositions donors..Way too much evil lurks here..Hate Trump all you want. But please stop avoiding common sense...If articles of impeachment are proposed as legislation in committee, this would be a valid judicial request if it related to the legislation..Impeach him or move on...
1
Like the criminals who got away with the banking crisis, Trump will get away with all of this. This country belongs to white men. It always will.
3
Mnuchin knows what's in the tax returns that Trump is hiding. Trump is toast if these tax returns are made public. Mnuchin is obstructing justice. Lock him up.
5
If Stephen purposely breaks the law, arrest him and place him in jail.
2
For the love of God, would you people get on some medication. This Trump fixation has grown tiresome. There is actually a lot going on in the world, you use to report it.
1
As an insurance attorney friend said, Trumps tax returns will show bank fraud, tax fraud and wire fraud. Of course he doesn't want them to see the light of day!
5
Dear editorial board,
Please cite for me the statutory requirement for a president or any elected govt official which compels him / her to share tax returns.
3
Although, generally speaking, I would have zero sympathy for Steve Munchin, from past history, it appears obvious that the President is a volatile nutcase, and what the truth is has little importance. To buy time it is easier to just tell Donny what he wants to hear. In the context of the worst administration in a 100 years, the decision, in terms of keeping the job, makes sense.
The error is not here. The error was in accepting the job.
1
I understand the Democrats have to follow the process meticulously so that when this goes to court Munich will lose. But this stonewalling of legitimate oversight is abhorrent. The GOP spins oversight into Trump derange syndrome.
They need to be voted out of office. All of them. It will take decades to repair the damage done by Trump and his cronies to the institutions and standings of the United States.
7
We live now in a soft dictatorship. Even if the courts order congressional subpoenas enforced, does anyone really believe Mnuchin and Barr will obey? Or that federal law enforcement officials, who are under the authority of the Department of Justice, will arrest and jail them?
4
The editorial board is twisting the intent of the law. You correctly note that the law allows congress to access tax returns in support of legislative actions. You twist this to claim they need Trump’s tax returns to determine whether congress should pass legislation to require all candidates to release their taxes. This is a sham and you know it - shame on the NYT.
The real question is why do we care what a candidate’s tax returns look like. What have we ever learned from a candidate’s tax return? Let’s focus on policy positions and not what a candidate earned on book sales.
3
It’s called transparency. Does the highest elected official in the country have any financial ties to foreign entities or businesses that might compromise his decision making on behalf of the USA. Not really a tough ask, should be a no brainer. During the campaign, he said he would be “happy” to release his returns, so why the furious stonewalling now, enquiring minds would like to know. Also, if an individual, not necessarily “ individual #1”, but any individual were being investigated for, say, tax fraud/evasion, wouldn’t the investigators need to see the tax returns of said suspect. Why would the president be any different than any other person being looked at. Just the fact that he has likely paid no income taxes for some time smells fishy.
3
We're seeing the same kind of obstruction, legal maneuvers and stalling Richard Nixon employed before he resigned in disgrace. Deja vu all over again.
5
It's not often, maybe never, that a Democratic Republic reverts to a Monarchy. Yet here we have the Nouveau Aristocracy raising their noses in disdain to the rules of the people. They, this Nouveau Aristocracy, must be shown that in a Democracy it is the people who rule, by law, not self appointed upstarts. Evan those that have been elected, whether or not by hook or crook, cannot self anoint ones self Monarch. Yet if the people do not hold this Aristocracy to the rule of law and hold them accountable we will soon find ourselves ruled by upstarts propped up by Oligarchs. You see Oligarchs don't mind these pompous fools playing the Aristocracy card as long as they, the Oligarchs, control the gate and the proceeds from it.
4
Mnuchin is not “defying” the law. He is “breaking” it.
The MSM’s lack of clear language when it comes to Trump & his Admin is part of the reason that Trump’s approval rating is still in the upper 30s/low 40s.
4
There is a certin irony in the fact that a President who has ridden roughshod over the legal rights of asylum seekers, visa applicants, innocent children, and workers, stiffed his contractors, defrauded state tax authorities and run a foundation so crooked it had to conceed to being wound up now hides in specious legalisms behind the skirts of his Treasury Secretary and a tame Attorney General.
Donald likes the law only when he can twist it to his crooked ends. The sooner the USA is rid of this travesty of a President and his band of lackeys, the sooner the free world will breathe easy.
6
With those huge losses, the tax returns may be the only major evidences of crimes of accepting laundered monies from crooks and foreign oligarchs to finance the losses! It now URGENT for the Supreme Court to make those returns public NOW! Trump’s base and the Mitch McConnell controlled Republican Senate are so badly cultic-ally brainwashed as to be unable to perform its duties needed to save our nation from its destruction!
3
'Nuch is just executing the Trump Inc playbook. This has been their MO since the great con began way back in Fred's day. You have zero regard for the law or for ethical conduct. When your opponent attempts to collect the money that is owed to them or when the authorities attempt to hold Trump Inc accountable for breaking the law, they tie things up in court and throw barricades up to try to run out the clock.
The House panels need to stop playing by their boy scout rules - they need to get serious and send the House Sargent at Arms out to arrest 'Nuch, Barr and Trump for obstruction of justice.
3
NO THEY DON’T! The house is conducting a blatant political attack on the President under the guise of congressional oversight and we will not stand for this outrage!
2
The editorial claims that Sec.Mnuchin "cited no authority for this stonewalling". That is a remarkable disservice to readers seeking information, not just affirmation.
Despite links to other letters between Chairman Neal, IRS Commissioner Rettig and Sec. Mnuchin, as best I can tell neither this editorial nor the linked NY Times stories link to the April 23 letter from Mnuchin to Neal. That letter (linked below) is 52 pages and is surely a first draft of whatever legal opinion the DoJ eventually produces.
It would be one thing to argue that it is unconvincing. It is another to pretend it doesn't exist.
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Secretary-Mnuchin-Response-to-Chairman-Neal-Plus-Appendix-A.pdf
1
One can foresee the day when Martial Law may rule... perhaps when Trump loses in 2020 by a narrow margin before the rightful new president can be sworn in on Jan 20th 2021...
1
"In examining Mr. Trump’s tax returns, Congress could determine that legislation forcing disclosure of a candidate’s tax returns is necessary to guard against future presidential corruption and conflicts of interests."
Federal judges, including members of the Supreme Court, could also be "corrupt" or have "conflicts of interest", so the Committee should be asking for their tax returns too.
2
@WBG. How do we know voters aren’t corrupt? The Democrats need to review everyone’s tax returns!
2
Actually, making tax returns public might be a good idea....except for the cheaters. What say you ?? Let’s all come clean. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. C,mon don’t be afraid, I’ve got nothing to hide.
Larry: "How do we know voters aren’t corrupt? The Democrats need to review everyone’s tax returns!"
Exactly. The editorial board's argument has been destroyed by "reductio ad absurdum" (reducing to absurdity). Bravo for Aristotelian logic. :-)
When it became clear that Trump's administrators and others were prepared to stonewall the Congressional committee, Democrats should have had the contempt charges prepared and in hand to serve on a 24 hour notice. Just as Barr set out to frame the narrative on Mueller's report, with all of the non-defined "collusion", playing "nice" with people who are clearly acting against constitutionally-legislated oversight powers and duties only emboldens the contemptuous. The situation has gone beyond requirements for polite.
3
"... Congress could determine that legislation forcing disclosure of a candidate’s tax returns is necessary to guard against future presidential corruption and conflicts of interests."
And what about "corruption" or "conflicts of interests" on the part of members of Congress? The editorial board needs to insist that the same standards apply to ALL politicians, not just the President.
Further, there is a problem with the statute when applied to members of Congress. A congressional committee could demand to see the tax returns of a member of Congress, including a member who is in the minority on that very committee. Thus, the statute could be used to attack political enemies in Congress.
1
The statute is nearly 100 years old. If it could be used nefariously, by now it would have been.
Your whataboutism is beside the point. Perhaps you’d like congress to investigate something else, do something else. So might we all. The editorial simply calls for the courts to recognize congress’s power, and not let Trump stymie the constitution.
4
James: "The statute is nearly 100 years old."
That proves nothing. As should be obvious, politicians will push the limits when it is to their advantage.
James: "Perhaps you’d like congress to investigate something else, do something else."
That's a straw man. I was criticizing the editorial board and exposing a flaw in the statute. If you don't want to think about those, put on your blinders.
@James K. Lowden. Not true. It make sure no sense to say a law can’t be abused now because it wasn’t in the past. The current democrats in Congress are clinically insane and trying to stage a coup. There have been countless disagreements between Congress and the Executive branch before, but this crop of crazy Democrat coup-plotters is unprecedented
Legally no President of The USA has to show his tax returns.
53
@Mr Cutler
That is not the point. The congress isn't asking for a favor here. They are demanding that Treasury hand over the tax documents, which is within their mandate. It isn't up to the President. Period.
175
@Mr Cutler...But Congress has the responsibility to pass legislation that would prevent potential future conflicts of interest and especially when that conflict might involve a foreign government. Congress has the right/duty to see the tax returns.
98
@Mr Cutler
You are misinformed. Per the Internal Revenue Code, Congress has the right to request anyone's tax returns and that individual is legally obligated to provide the material. In this case, however, Trump has someone at the IRS (Michael Desmond, his handpicked toady) to look out for him. Between the DOJ and the IRS, Trump has himself well and truly covered.
116
"The purpose of the request was not “harassment” of the president..."
If anyone believes that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn...
Seriously, since the 2016 election and before, all the NYT, and Congressional Democrats, our self-appointed royalty, and all the king's horses and all the king's men, have done is harass the elected president.
106
@Ian Maitland
and all the king's horses and all the king's men, have done is harass the elected president.
Deja Vue all over again (thinking back to the GOP treatment of the last president).
But let me modify this a bit for clarification " and all the king's horses and all the king's men, have done is assess the elected president who has acted guilty as sin before and after his election giving people a basis to question his action. If they did anything less they would not be doing their duties. If Trump behaved in the manner of previous presidents we wouldn't be here. Act guilty and don't be surprised when people think you must be.
321
@Ian Maitland
I could reply with a rational argument, but would you listen? Trump is trying to be king, ignoring checks and balances (what our government was founded on) and you accuse the Dems as acting like royalty?
262
@Ian Maitland. Well it didn't end well for Humpty Dumpty either.
146
Actually, they do not because they can't point to a legislative reason to do so.
2
Actually the clever congress critters anticipated that objection and enumerated legal reasons to see those returns.
If you’ll reread the editorial, you’ll find it cites those very justifications.
1
The law is very simply written, and no reason is required.
1
YES, at The Times says: "Sorry, Steve Mnuchin. Congress Has a Right to See Trump’s Tax Returns." Now I have a question for the Editorial Board: WHO will make him turn them over? Threat of Congressional Impeachment? Nope. The "Roberts Court"? Not likely. The voters in 2020? ONLY if they're smarter than they were in 2016.
2
REASON FOR ASKING
Representative Richard Neal, the Democratic chairman of the Ways and Means Committee:
"the extent to which the I.R.S. audits and enforces the federal tax laws against a president."
REASON FOR REFUSING EVERYTHING
Our Executive Branch's Cabinet Members and our White House's Lawyers (now joined by our AG):
"(Witch Hunt)"
Funny that public employees in Michigan have their pay posted on the internet. What to know what a custodian in Lansing school district makes?
2
Trump should produce his returns just as soon as all the Democrats demanding he do so (including Pelosi) produce theirs.
There is absolutely no legal basis for demanding the returns. It is bald faced political grandstanding.
2
No, a private citizens tax information is private. Trump his
campaign and administration have been under investigation for over two years. No criminal behavior has been found and Mueller and his office have looked very thoroughly. Please no nonsense about section two of the report and the 'uncharged' obstruction. If Mueller or anyone else had the goods on Trump that information would long be public. Now because Mueller let them down in their overhyped special council they want to keep looking under a different rock.
Meanwhile what has the Democrat majority in the House accomplished unrelated to investigating the administration?
2
The thought occurred to me yesterday. Trump likes to tweet threats to China which causes the stock market to tank. Due to a threat, not to any completed action. With all you read about Trump as a businessman, and a failed one at that and with no ability to see what his wealth actually is, I thought of something that would fall in the more likely than not scenarios. What if Trump has seen what his tweets do to the market. And what if he called the person who is 'handling' his financial affairs, the not so blind trust person. And Trump said to this person "You may want to watch the headlines today. The stock market may have a hiccup. And isn't the best time to buy stocks is when they are low?" Then the tweet threatening increased tariffs comes, the market takes a dive. And then Trump calls the guy again a couple days later and says "There may be something that happens today that might cause the markets to rebound. Sell high, right?" And through some divine intervention, the threat of higher tariffs is reversed. And the markets soar. Creating great selling opportunities. All in a matter of just a few days. Am I reaching? Would a guy like Trump stoop to that level? Why, yes, I believe he would.
3
Whether or not Congress has this right will be determined by the Supreme Court as it should be.
In point of fact the Congress has no rights.
None, Nada, Zip, Zilch, not a single one.
People have rights, elected bodies do not.
The Congress does have certain authority, see Art. 1 Sec 8, to act on our behalf.
Where the authority to act and the individual rights clash the presumption under the law is that the rights hold sway.
The Democrats may request to see the tax returns. The individual may at his/her discretion decline.
The Democrats may issue a legal writ demanding to see them. The individual may choose to challenge that writ under a show cause hearing in court. The onus to prove that there is a valid lawful reason is on the issuing body. Fishing expeditions are not valid excuses for abuse of authority.
The Federal Law cited in the article conforms to this legal concept. A fact the authors carefully ignore.
Sorry but the Congress does not have a right to see anything. They must show a valid legal reason to see them.
Please stop conflating your desires with the law.
3
To no surprise, the Trump supporters on here don’t want Trump’s tax returns made public. Given the Times’ reporting on Trump’s returns from 1985 through 1994, I can understand why. The cognitive dissonance among Trump supporters must be off the charts — at least those supporters who can fathom the magnitude of a billion dollars in losses.
9
@Jeffrey M. Wooldridge
The NYT 'reported' on nothing. They printed illegally obtained information. Hardly 'reporting'. Put that shoe on a Democratic foot and see how it fits.
1
Sorry, no chance. The case will be appealed to kingdom come and eventually the illegitimate Supremes will find some reason to support whatever Trump claims. As Charlton Heston once referenced, those returns will be have to be taken from T's cold dead hands.
1
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. --Lord Acton, 1887
Now more than ever.
Will next year's election be the last election of our democracy?
Vote.
7
The stated excuse for the House to view Trump's returns is to evaluate whether the IRS is appropriately auditing presidential returns as required by law. Why are they requesting 2010 through 2017? Trump was not president in 2010-2016. The Obama IRS audited 2009 through 2015, and it is unlikely they cut him any slack.
Further, they are not entitled to have the income tax returns under the law, they are entitled to look at them in closed session.
IMO, a great compromise would be for the House to get to look at Trump's tax returns for 2017 while the Senate gets to look at the returns for the Obamas for 2012-2017 [He was president and a federal employee during those years, and we haven't seen those returns.] For every tidbit of Trump's returns illegally leaked to the Press of his legal returns, Republicans can select a tidbit from the Obama's returns to publish.
1
President Trump "promised" to release his tax returns. President Trump has said repeatedly that he "always keeps his promises." It's time to put the "proof" on the table!!!
Let's hear what "the court of public opinion" has to say.
5
The real offense against the Constitution here is by Democrats. Oversight of the executive branch is an important Congressional power, but the Supreme Court has said it should be related to Congress’s legislative function or constitutional duty. It can’t merely be a trawling exercise to see what nasty details they can find to score political points and discredit a President before the 2020 election.
2
Not long ago, I was part of a consulting project for another country that sought to attract foreign businesses and investment. Not so unusual. But one of the selling points they had come up with was "Rule of Law." I laughed a bit when I read it. In light of Mnuchin's decision and the overall Trump presidency, it's not very funny anymore.
4
Mnuchin could be arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms if held in contempt for failing to comply a House subpeona. The Democrats must continue exercise their rights to subpeona testimony and documents even from the executive branch. It is one of the founding principles of our tripartite government. They must not cave before Trump and his henchmen. Lock them all up if necessary.
8
It would seem that Congress must have a specific, lawful, purpose in demanding the President's tax returns. I've yet to see any such need enunciated. Neither titillation nor 50 years of voluntary release qualify as a need. Absent such, it will most likely get to the Supreme Court in time for the next election. Do you think the ensuing majority opinion would flatter Congress?
3
I just don’t get this tone of “can’t be allowed” and “rule of law”... this assumption that anyone within in the regime or its machine will be compelled to do anything. Not as long as they hold power - and that may very well last years or decades.
1
The House is entitled to look at the tax returns of any individual. They are not entitled to reveal any information contained in those returns. Democrats are, obviously, planning to release information to the public, legally or illegally for political gain.
It was illegal for the dark state to have leaked the identities of American citizens who were recorded pursuant to FISA warrants. The corrupt Obama administration unmasked Americans and distributed the names to so many political operatives it became impossible to identify who the leakers are.
Democrats are indifferent to the rule of law and intend to publish Trump's returns, accidentally, despite the fact they contain nothing improper or illegal.
Let them go ahead and try to get a court to allow their corruption. We'll be well into Trump's second term by the time they make it through the courts and the House will be Republican, so they'll lose interest.
Americans are really not interested in knowing that Trump made a donation to Planned Parenthood or that he took a tax deduction for a conservation easement.
5
Nice try. But the majority of Americans are keenly interested in knowing how much of a fraud Trump is. We know he’s a fraud, but I’m still curious about the magnitude of the con he pulled on people like you.
5
All of this is back stop. eventually. is used way too often. NOW is the word.
The real deal is Mueller.
Please gather as many people as possible to ask Mr. Mueller to do "Whatever is Necessary to Appear Before Congress on May 15, 2019."
There has never been a more pivotal singular event in the US' ability to maintain a democracy. Nixon was merely an annoyance in comparison to this set of event. We had Deepthroat, Mark Felder then, along with W & B at the WP. We now have only Mueller.
4
Couldn't agree more.
Nothing is more irritating than watching the Trump team trample the Constitution and the Bill of Rights established by our founding fathers that have served our nation so well.
Yes America is still imperfect and must do more to help the most vulnerable and to hold to account the most powerful.
But our society and institutions have survived and improved because of the enduring respect that those precious documents command.
6
Trump will lose this and the motions to quash subpoenas to Deutsche Bank, but they are now all in on stonewalling and stalling their way to the election.
6
You can be sure that if Trump thinks revealing the tax returns is imminent, he will get out ahead of the release by minimizing what his losses mean, mumbling some incoherent phrases, and bamboozling his base with reasoning that the numbers are too complex to understand, and only tax accountants or very wealthy people could interpret them. I think the Democrats in the House have access to those expert tax folks who can boil it down for us.
7
@Steve
Trump runs a small business. He receives income from rents, capital gains from the sale of condos and stocks, and reports income and expenses from the hotels and restaurants he owns. Any small business person would be able the read and understand his tax returns. Absolutely no part of this his business is rocket science. If it was, the Trumps wouldn't be able to run it.
4
Sorry Editors, but the American people see this for what it is: a petty, spoilsport move to try to embarrass the President. Those opposed to Trump are hoping for a consolation prize because the Meuller Report did not deliver on their hopes and dreams.
This is a grand, vain fishing expedition and a waste of taxpayer money and of Congress' efforts. Our legislators should instead try cooperating with Trump on funding the proposed $2 Trillion in infrastructure. The American people will love them for it. Sure, they'll love Trump as well, but if hatred of Trump is the only thing a person brings to Congress, they're not worthy of the seat.
9
@NorthernVirginia There are these pesky things called co-equal branches of government, each with their own constitutional authority, and Congress has theirs. Congress has the authority to look at any financial records of any federal employee, and that includes the grifter, to insure there is no areas of concern or conflicts of interest. Yes, they have peeked at my finances and associations for the better part of 40 years of being granted a security clearance. So, the grand grifter should be subject to the same scrutiny that I was subject to.
Second, this action by Congress I do not believe is not a "consolation prize" as this has been attempted before the Mueller report.
If you believe Trump will negotiate in good faith for infrastructure spending you are living in an alternate universe.
And Trump is the person not deserving of his office, along with the rest of the GOP due to their hatred of anything not Republican, and white.
13
@NorthernVirginia None of this is news about Trump. He has long been known, in law suits and investigative reporting, as recording his profits and losses in very non-standard ways, skirting if not stepping over the line into illegal practices.
6
Actually this American Person is well aware that Trump is a national embarrassment. And that it is congress’ job to investigate his assault on the constitution. Also this is the view of the majority of the country.
5
If the Dems don’t like it, they can take it up with the Supreme Court.
6
The Supreme Court has no authority over impeachments.
1
Or impeach. I like the sound of the latter.
1
Some animals are more equal than others.
Only the little people pay taxes.
10
Sorry NY Times, Congress has no right to see the President’s tax returns. Nancy Pelosi, and former California Governor Jerry Brown never submitted tax return nor does Bernie Sanders and a large percentage of elected officials. Unless and until all members of the NY Times Editorial Board are as forthcoming regarding revealing their taxes for the past decade, this point and argument is moot.
Enough of these smokescreens and rabbit hole slight of hand distractions. With no feasible policy agenda or programs, the Democrat Party along with the trailing media are witnessing a steady decline in influence.
12
@Grant. You’re mistaken. Bernie Sanders released 10 years of tax returns, all presidents in the last 40 years have released tax returns. Are you willfully blind to what this president may represent? Do you love your tribe more than your country? If there is nothing wrong with Trumps taxes then we can all move on. But judging from Trumps defensiveness there is probably plenty wrong with how he conducts his finances.
6
Kind of milquetoast, Editors.
Urge the Congress to go to the mat with Trump on his taxes.
4
Of course Trump’s Treasury Secretary and Trump’s Justice Department refuse to give up Trump’s tax returns. Whether they have any legal authority to refuse Congress is extremely dubious at best, but that hardly matters to them.
Under Trump, every department head is expected to be a stooge for the President. You step out of line, you’ll be alienated and forced out. Loyalty is the only thing that matters in the executive branch these days, not whatever the law says.
I think Trump also firmly believes he can treat the Supreme Court the same way - demand loyalty over precedent. Whether or not that’s true will most likely be decided in the coming months.
17
Calling this a "Constitutional Crisis" as many people are calling, though correct, is misleading.
Humans have difficulty in seeing flaws in themselves, but we can see the other guy's flaws from a mile away. Like individuals, like countries.
If this happened in a "third world" country, we'd shrug and say "these guys don't have the rule of law. Their heritage doesn't include the magna carta, they never had Thomas Paine, etc etc blah blah".
Now, they are us. We are not special. That's what is the most depressing thing for me as an American that loves this democratic experiment of ours. I was ignorant and believed in our exceptionalism. But we are proving to be no better than the people in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Pakistan, Nicaragua, or any of the countries that we used to declare with contempt as "failed states".
We have all the hallmarks of becoming a failed state: stocking institutions with political hacks, erosion of institutions' independence, presidency above the law (Justice Dept OLC's memo that says sitting president cannot be indicted, the whole concept of presidential pardons (what is that?)), intimidation of journalists, balkanization of media, the weaponization of ignorance, political disregard of experts and scientists when it suits political pupose, etc. etc.
A very sad state of affairs.
I hope this is a temporary state that will go away when Trum goes away. But my rational mind tells me we're in this slope for the long term.
28
@SD It is a country in crisis-a crisis we last saw when we had another crook in office, and a fellow Republican-Nixon. Hmm. Must be a pattern.
3
The House can ask for my returns and I won't object and could not anyway because I don't have a pile of corrupt goons to stonewall for me.
19
Dollars and jail are the only language these Republicans understand. Charge em’ with contempt and fine them. If they don’t pay then put them in jail. Congress has the right to do this. Use the enforcement power of the people’s House.
20
Steve Mnuchin, who keeps refusing to hand over Trump’s tax returns like it’s all a big joke, is worth 300 million dollars. He should be fined one million dollars a day for every day he refuses to turn over the documents as ordered. A drop in the bucket for Mnuchin, but those millions could add up quickly.
2
This is a dangerous precedent. There are unintended consequences to this action.
The loss of privacy in the support of partisan politics is something we should all fear.
12
How many Money Launderers are currently serving in the House & the Senate?
Be careful about what you wish for?
Transparency brings sleepless nights to some.
13
Does the constitution require candidates for president to reveal their tax returns? When did that become a rule? We all understand why Democrats want this data--Mr. Trump has had very complex financial dealings, he's doubtless played every angle known to tax accounting, many of these will at least be open to interpretation and can be spun to Democrat political advantage. This will provide them with a whole arsenal of rocks and mudballs to sling at him going into 2020--they can't wait! Meantime, not much mentioned, what is the Democrat plan for moving America forward, what's in their policy black box? Oh, never mind about that.
12
Whatever the Democrats have up their sleeve, pales in comparison to what we now endure with this administration.
11
@Ronald. Have you been living under a rock? There is plenty of policy out from Dem candidates. You may not agree with the policies but they have more ideas with detailed plans than Trump has been able dream of.
2
There are about 20 Democrats out there right now telling us their plan. But you do actually have to listen and pay attention if you want to know what it is. Just some highlights:
Start catching up with the rest of the world on renewable energy.
Start moving tax policy back toward what it was when we had rich people with more money than they could spend in a dozen lifetimes (like now) AND an interstate freeway system, a few trips to the moon, a defense piggy bank which allowed us to essentially bankrupt our opponents to maintain parity etc etc.
Recognize the moral imperative of sharing equally in the intellectual and technological bounty of this country to assuage pain and suffering of all our citizens, not just the ones that will be profitable.
Do some simple math and realize the positive economic impact of an educated populace for outweighs the tax dollars we put into it.
tl;dr - Stop poisoning our cage, take more of OUR SHARE of the profits being pocketed by people often educated in OUR public schools and universities, utilizing the work of folks WE pay to educate and sometimes even feed or house, logistically supported by OUR infrastructure, and protected by OUR military, police, and fire personnel. And stop making money off of teaching kids the three R’s and sick people, it’s disgusting.
2
The very definition of harassment, pure and simple. Just part of the relentless, omnidirectional bullying that has been the bread and butter of Democrat activity since 2016. America sees it for what it is, and will vote accordingly in 2020.
14
Elite privilege! Let me count the ways rotten people escape their immoral deeds. Jerry Sandusky, Harvey Weinstein, Larry Nassar, the Ivy League cheating scandal, Trump getting away with all manner of crimes his entire life. Barr, Munuchin defying the law. On and on and on. If we keep letting evil men get away with being totalitarians, we are lost.
I cited men who after decades of criminality, were finally taken to task, but for decades defenders and enablers protected them.
Now we have an entire GOP so fallen from any sense of right or wrong that they behave like Trump, a totalitarian who is so deluded he thinks he should be a king. Anyone in the Trump crew who shows any decency, even a Jeff Sessions. is excoriated and ejected. Trump loves sycophants to worship him. The Dunning Kruger Effect. In addition Trump picks men of low intellect, not all, but often enough. His delusions of conspiracies are shared by Stephen Moore, Scott Pruitt, Hermain Cain, and even formerly smart if venal men like Barr.
The NYT edits for civility. The GOP has no civility in their comments. They simply have abandoned obeying the law. But voters, or the "rabble", as John Adams called them, put some of the worst men in the nation in power repeatedly.
This may be the ultimate manifestation of the Dunning-Kruger Effect. "I just know" " My gut tells me!" "Trump was sent by God!"
9
@David Shapireau
TurboTax Timmy was guilty of tax evasion and was still confirmed to Obama's cabinet. Charlie Rangel was guilty of tax evasion and was not removed from office.
Trump, who has a far more complex tax situation and was audited by the Obama IRS for his 2009 through 2015 tax years. If there were a whiff on impropriety, the Obama IRS would have leaked it.
Documented crimes by Democrats: no consequences. Theoretical crimes by Trump, obvious criminality.
1
Congress has not only a right but a duty to see and explore Trump's tax records. Congress is supposed to be protecting the People, after all.
12
Had you not considered that this is the purpose and function of the IRS and the FEC?
2
@Margo. The FEC and IRS do not make law or legislate, they only execute the laws congress makes. Congress wants to see Trumps taxes to see if they need to makes laws to prevent a President from having financial or other conflicts of interest.
4
@Martin
Is it constitutional for the Congress to set arbitrary standards that apply only to the executive branch? Doesn't the president get to veto those bills?
In order to be President, a candidate has to be elected by a majority of the Electoral College [or selected by a special House vote with each state getting one vote], must be a natural born citizen, and over the age of 35.
Congress does not get to make new rules limiting who can be president. They have the option of impeaching the President for any offense, real of imagined.
All federal employees, including the President, are bound by the emoluments clause, but Obama decided not to enforce that rule with respect to Hillary.
The good thing about Trump not releasing his tax returns, unlike every other president or party nominee over the last 50 or so years, is that he makes perfectly clear the utter contempt he has for the American people, including his supporters. If he had the slightest respect for them, or the job he took, he would release them. This is the same guy who recently and repeatedly called himself the “most transparent president ever.” What’s he hiding from America?
20
@Kip
His supporters have no interest in finding out that he contributed to Planned Parenthood and that he took a deduction for a conservation easement on his home. We really have no interest in partisan armchair "experts" disputing valuation estimates that have already been resolved with the IRS. We believed him when he was running for office and he said he paid as little taxes as legal. We also believed him when he said that the system was rigged to favor the rich and powerful.
His supporters had reviewed the Clinton tax returns as well as the public record 990's filed by the Clinton Foundation. We were more concerned that Hillary had been collecting $30 million in taxable speaking and consulting fees with her husband as bagman. And billions in tribute were being paid by foreign governments to the Clinton Foundation. Hillary had the Clinton Foundation pay Huma Weiner $150,000 per year while Huma was a full time employee of the federal government and was also collecting $120,000 per year from Sid Blumenthal for "consulting services."
Trump respects his supporters. He is troubled by the corruption of Hillary.
Dear NYT:
Although I agree Trump should release his tax returns, the Congressional Democrats have offered a facially absurd justification for demanding them.
We have seen the politcization of our intelligence agencies and law enforcement in pushing the false "collusion" narrative, and now an unprecedented misuse of Congressional process to attack a political foe.
This is not oversight, it is harassment.
The Times errs by stoking this unlawfulness.
More fundamentally, The Times should explain why it is ok for a partisan newspaper to publish stolen tax information -- and perhaps to assist in its theft -- while pushing a bogus wikileaks / Russia collusion theory?
11
His entire milieu is guilty of obstruction of justice. They are all complicit in his con. I once received his board game as a gift, and was deeply offended by it. There is no substance or character, only sham.
6
And while we're at it, in the name of transparency, could we have a look at the NYT's Editorial Board's tax returns, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger's tax returns, and his son's tax returns as well. It seems a touch opaque over there at the NYT. I'm sure everything is on the up & up. I can't imagine otherwise.
I'm sure you understand, transparency is so important in these dark times.
14
I’m sure that kind of reasoning makes sense to Trump supporters, but none of those people are the president, whose responsibility it is to serve the country without conflicts. Every other president or party nominee released theirs since at least Nixon. Why not Trump?
13
@Kip
Oh, but the Fourth Estate is so important to our Democracy. We put the Grey Lady right up there on a pedestal, next to the best of the best.
6
6301g (2) allows the President access to anyone's return too...Opening up this genie in a bottle is foolish..The requests will likely expand to donors of the opposition party and other partisan evils..
1
We read here:
"The purpose of the request was not 'harassment' of the president, ..."
To which Ian Maitland replied:
"If anyone believes that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn …"
My response to Ian:
You, too? What a coincidence. 60,000,000 Trumpies also bought a bridge.
10
@Robert
And half of ‘em are loosing their farms.
1
The courts will eventually decide if (a) there is an implied legitimate purpose limitation to the statute at issue, (b) if so, what constitutes a legitimate purpose and (c) whether Congress meets that standard here. There’s no obvious urgency to answering these questions and no reason to doubt that both the president and Congress will abide by the final decision of the courts. So my advice to the editorial board is to take a chill pill and find something else to do while waiting for the judicial answers.
8
Time for Steve the enabler to return to Fort Knox to see an eclipse of the sun, win wink.
5
Nuh, I don't think so. That's not their business.
5
Honestly as a lifelong Democrat, I could not imagine a more partisan request by Congressman Neal. What is the point of this request if not to take down your political enemy. It’s scream partisanship and I for one think it’s a low blow, beneath Congress.
15
I disagree. We have never had a president with as many potential financial conflicts of interest, some of which may very well include foreign government interests. Situations like this are exactly why this part of the tax code was added.
20
@James
"Honestly as a lifelong Democrat, …"
And so begins yet another pro-Trump screed. Why must they always begin like that? Is it the word "honestly" that always gives it away?
17
@Dave
Dude, investigating "potential conflicts of interest" is not the rationale advanced by Rep. Neal.
He claims to need Trump tax returns to do oversight on IRS audits of presidents.
What a hoot!
7
History tells us about the Civil War military commander Stonewall Jackson. Apparently we now have Stonewall Donald, a major difference being that Jackson actually fought, without pesky bone spurs in his heel, in real military conflicts.
5
The president who got a nickname in battle, that Jackson? No way to conflate the two.
2
@John LeBaron
Democrats established in 1992 that they admired draft dodgers. In 2004, they established that they admired a candidate who did not have an honorable discharge from the Navy. He had a general discharge because he had not completed his two year Navy enlistment commitment.
If it weren't for double standards, Democrats would have no standards at all.
The century old law that provides Congress the legal authority to demand the tax returns also prescribes some substantial jail time for refusing to comply. So stick Munchkin in the pokey and see if his attitude improves!
10
Hold him in contempt and lock him up. Quit pussyfooting around.
9
If only a reality TV show could follow Steve in jail. I'd pay good money to see that
3
@northeastsoccermum
Congress had better open up its own basement jail and hire some guards, then.
It is not smart to pick a fight with the executive branch, not when Trump runs the FBI, the secret service and the federal prison system.
Maybe it is time for a few Congressional chairs to spend time in the pokey, if they illegally try to jail Trump's people?
3
Its obvious that the tax returns need to be released, and Congress has every right to seek them under the law. This isn't harassment, its needed investigation relating to disturbing connection to Russian interference and obstruction of justice. Elsewhere in the paper, it is reported that someone gave the times a bunch of tax materials relating to the president and his father from 1985 til the mid 90s which seem to show that despite Trump's claims of success, he was actually a business failure, if it is to be believed at face value, not surprising for our huckster in chief. I do find it disturbing though that someone can leak someone's tax returns to a paper with impunity. Something seems fundamentally wrong with that. Do any of you want your personal financial life printed in the paper if the source was a leak? I say get them through a legal process only. Otherwise, how is this different than what wikileaks and the Russians did?
4
It’s interesting that you say the purpose of seeking the tax returns is to revisit part of Mueller’s Russia conspiracy investigation. That’s not what the chairman of the tax committee says. He says Congress only wants to determine the adequacy of IRS audits of presidents. Is he lying?
4
Not mentioned in the article is the counterintelligence dimension of Congressional oversight. For years, Trump has brazenly behaved and spoken as a lackey of Putin and Russian interests, often in direct contradiction to the findings of the American intelligence community. This disturbing behavior triggered a counterintelligence probe within the Justice Dept., but we still don't know what that probe uncovered, and the DOJ has since been taken over by a Trumpist flack. Congress, on behalf of the American people, has the right and responsibility to exercise oversight in this matter. A review of Trump's tax returns is common-sense due diligence aimed at discovering if his craven subservience to Putin is, in whole or in part, motivated by financial favors extended to him by Russian banks, oligarchs and other entities. Going forward, release of 10 years of tax returns should be made mandatory for all presidential candidates.
11
@Luke
After running agents at his people, after looking at phone records, after 500 interviews - still no evidence.
And sorry - you don’t get to see the material.
8
Sorry, Ivan, last time I looked this is still America, not Russia. You may be okay with Trump being a possible Russian tool immune to Congressional oversight, but the vast majority of Americans, who elected the current Congress, agree that Trump needs adult supervision.
7
@Luke
Sorry. We have documented proof that the Russians fabricated the Steele dossier to help Hillary get elected. The Obama administration used the unreliable document to trick FISA courts into spying on the Trump campaign while not similarly investigating the Hillary campaign for illegal use of foreign agents to interfere with the election. The Obama administration then illegally leaked misleading information about "suspicious" behavior of the Trump campaign and of president elect Trump and President Trump to deflect the corruption of the Obama/Hillary forces.
The Russians always wanted Hillary to win.
The NYT has just released an article about Trump's tax returns from 1985 to 1994. They show significant loses for each of those years. Maybe Trump will want to release his more recent returns to show that he actually is a better businessman than he was in the past. Or, perhaps the recent returns show similar results and that is why he doesn't want the returns made public.
Obviously Trump's wealth or the perception of his wealth is extremely important to him, so actual returns showing that he is nowhere near as rich as he says he is would be a big blow.
6
@wvb
Tax returns are not an indication of wealth.
5
true but they show sources of income and debts. they also show charitable contributions. trump is not as magnanimous as he pretends.
3
@northeastsoccermum
Does your tax return from
20 years ago indicate your current financial situation?
3
With the tax filings from NY State, the US citizens will soon realize how "great" the con man Trump is. While this may not come as a shock to the folks who are going after Trump, it sure will bring the fury amongst those are have steadfastly supported him all along including seasoned GOP Congressmen and Senators who have risked their integrity and exposed them selves as hypocrites who pledged to uphold the US Constitution but did the opposite. We are on the verge to find out that the emperor has no clothes.
5
@Peace Lover
NYS department of revenue has privacy requirements, as does the IRS. It's going to be fun to see what kind of fancy dancing they're going to have to do to justify releasing information that Trump hasn't broken any laws.
NYTimes editorial board, I do not think this word “sorry” means what you think it means.
2
This is nothing but harassment by Congress that serves absolutely no legitimate purpose. This will be ultimately decided by the Supreme Court. Good luck with that, Dems!
10
Supreme court precedent does not override the constitution because there are different judges now from when the precedent exists. Congress can claim the right to see Trump's Tax returns but the supreme court could turn that down because it is not a constitutional right of the congress. It is the constitutional right of an American to file returns for the eyes of the IRS only. It will be a draconian precedent set if a president or a private citizen of US is forced to show Tax returns to the partisan peeping Toms in Congress.
6
Every president or party nominee for the last 50 years voluntarily disclosed their tax returns. Voluntarily. None of them, Republican or Democrat, had to be forced. Clearly, they viewed it as a responsibility to the people. Pretty much the exact opposite "draconian." Nice try, though.
As for your assertion about how Supreme Court precedent works, thanks for the laugh. Really.
4
@Kip
They didn't do it because they thought of it as a responsibility, they did it because it was politically expedient.
Presidential candidates have also released their academic and military records if they were questioned about it, except Obama and Kerry, although Kerry did release his records after the election. Kerry, the intellectual serious student, had exactly the same "C" average as the hard partying Bush. He also had a lower score on the OCE than Bush, indicating a lower IQ. Bush has an honorable discharge for his four year commitment to the Texas Air National Guard. Kerry has a general, rather than honorable discharge from the Navy because he failed to meet his two year Navy commitment.
Obama would never have been elected if he had released his academic and immigration records.
Seems reasonable to me. The president provides the returns to Mr Neal and when they are leaked, Mr Neal and his fellow democrats go to jail. If congress had any semblance of integrity and didn’t leak worse than a colander they could perform the oversight they desire. But let’s be real, this is nothing but an attemp to leak and damage the president. They don’t care about oversight otherwise they would do their jobs and pass some meaningful legislation that helped the American people.
9
Trump’s tax returns belong to all the citizens, so they cannot be “leaked.” They’re already public property. They can be published just as Obama’s and HRC’s tax returns were.
The Republican party plank is clearly to protect its president and what's left of their leadership in Congress. The appointees for judges and any position need first to bow to the king and then swear an oath to protect him. McConnell and his obsequiousness could be the plot for a future Taming of the Shrew. He is the biggest roadblock to congressional oversight.
7
"Shall furnish" is unambiguous. Lock up Mnuchin and anyone else at the IRS who defies Congressional oversight.
17
@Christy
All laws are subject to dispute, particularly when someone attempts to use a law for the first time. Let the courts decide whether it is Constitutional.
Media, Congress can you please stop and focus on the issues that the people really care about. You anger and rage is blinding you from the fact what your doing is going to get him reelected. This is not the fight that the people want. Maybe in your echo chamber but not outside it. Please stop trying to justify what your doing and focus on the real issues. You are all acting like entitled children!
6
Why do so many of your editorials begin with "Sorry...". That is just unnecessarily cutsie about very serious subjects.
6
The Trump game plan is clear: obstruct, delay and use the time to brainwash the cult into believing there was exoneration. It seems to be working.
10
@Bumpercar
"Obstruct, delay, brainwash the cult"...sounds like it was lifted directly from the Team Clinton playbook.
5
Do you think Trump pays taxes? He is a sad and common man who is above paying taxes. His cleaning staff pay their taxes. A cheap and not so rich President.
1
Whatever happened with the "fifteen questions" Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg was supposed to answer before Congress? Did nothing come of this?
4
Since it appears as though the Supreme Court will defer to the Trump Administration’s citizenship question on the conference census surely they will have to defer to Congress’s demand for the a President’s tax records, right?
2
Trump has established the standards of law for the next President. Since the Executive Branch will now have so much power, a Democratic president can pass Health Care Reform, Green Jobs, Open Borders, everything the Republicans hate. Let's see what kind of whistle they blow then when a Democratic president refuses to adhere to the constitution because there is now precedent for it.
6
If Congress wants the President ‘s tax returns, perhaps they should set an example and release theirs.
And to guard our beloved Democracy I suggest that all elected and appointed officials have monthly medical checkups and drug tests, published for all to see.
7
You forgot mental health evaluations.
The House should immediately open an Impeachment Inquiry on Secretary Mnuchin. That will give them all the cover they need for a "legitimate legislative purpose", and there is no argument the administration can make to block that purpose.
6
Hold the IRS commissioner in contempt if he refuses to deliver. What a legal lesson this is becoming. Hopefully, we’ll learn an important lesson.
9
Sorry Congress, Steve Mnuchin is a sorry son of a gun.
7
Arya Stark needs to visit Mnuchin with Trump's face on.
5
What do they really expect to find in the tax returns? Well before he was a candidate I am sure the IRS looked carefully at his tax returns. If there were anything shady they would have found it. Who in Congress is even qualified to look at what must surely be a very complicated return. There is no question that the purpose of the request is to harass the President. It would be better if they turned to things that mattered for the Country.
7
The larger points here are, 1, there is no promise made by Donald Trump TO HIS OWN SUPPORTERS that he'll keep if he decides not to; 2, that Trump's Oath of Office to uphold the law in no way obliges him to uphold the law if he decides not to; and 3, the Republicans as a party are damaged irreparably by their support for a lawless renegade who tramples not just his Oath, but theirs.
10
Please hold Mnuchin in contempt and arrest him! No one is above the law and he’s flaunting his violation and rubbing our noses in it.
7
Sorry, not sorry!
Hold each of them in contempt.
4
Every day, I feel like we’ve taken another step to dictatorship.
7
Sorry indded! And by the way, throw this clown in jail for obstructing the mandate of congress and stonewalling the law.
7
"...considering legislative proposals..." Honestly, what a thin coverup for harassing the President. Can't believe this is a serious editorial opinion.
5
They want six years of returns for him and for all the companies he owns? Six years? And various states, including my own Illinois are demanding public tax returns of all future Presidential candidates, otherwise they will be barred from the ballot.
I doubt our drafters of the U.S. Constitution, who went out of their way to limit the powers of government, would smile kindly on this political fishing expedition.
9
The protection is against encroachment on private citizens. The president is neither a private citizen nor exempt of oversight from Congress, even if it has partisan motivations --pit ambition against ambition is the guiding principle of US government power since the framers. By design.
8
@Alex RE encroachment on private citizens? Trump has been president for 2 years, not 6. He was a private citizen for 4 of the 6 years demanded. Sounds like a lot of encroachment going on by Congress.
1
NYT, you are wrong. The law on which the Dems are relying to demand the release of Trump's tax returns origins from a series of facts which questioned the integrity of what was then the IRS. That's not the case here. The Democrats request is arbitrary and undermines by the same token the IRS.
In 1957 the SCOTUS ruled that "Congress [was] not a law enforcement agency". Congressman Neal is clearly attempting to encroach on the division of powers which is the cornerstone of any system of government in which the rule of law prevails.
The requirement according to which the Treasury Secretary “shall furnish" records to the appropriate committees has been added after Watergate and was never put to the test before the courts. The phrasing of that requirement is a blatant encroachment on the division of powers. It enables Congress to duplicate the duty of a law enforcement agency, in that case, the IRS.
A phrasing that would curb any congress overreach would be one that would allow Congress to apply to the Court, on a case by case basis, to obtain the release of the tax returns of any person by clearly stating how such a request falls within the oversight attributions of Congress and does not yield to arbitrariness.
Not only is it appropriate to challenge that part of that law, but it is also the constitutional duty of the DOJ. The last word rests with the SCOTUS. NYT editorial board, having a jurist in your team would not hurt.
9
Is it possible for the NYT to publish an opinion from a law professor on the legality of Treasury's position? I'm not a fan of President Trump, but I can't help but think that Congress is misusing the law for partisan purposes. Mnuchin's letter suggests the Supreme Court has effectively read a requirement of responsible behaviour into the exercise of a clearly written power. Is this true? And if it is true, is it Treasury or the person whose records would be exposed who has the right to complain?
6
@Cato
Not sure that any Democrat in Congress can read. They whined about the Mueller report but only two or so of them actually read it.
5
Calm down, AZPurdue. You’re the one with an illiterate president.
6
There is no legitimate reason for Congress to be demanding Trump's tax return, which he has a right to keep private, except under the most extraordinary circumstances, which do not exist here.
Their darling candidate lost in 2016 and the Dems have been breaking his cops ever since. Dems, next time get a better, less corrupt candidate.
12
@MIKEinNYCLess corrupt than trump?
3
The Clinton Foundation organizational structure is so eccentric it defies audits. That is a concern.
1
The Clinton Foundation has the highest rating among nonprofits, and has done solid humanitarian work all over the world. Hillary Clinton posted its financials online during the 2016 campaign. On the other hand, the Trump Foundation was the family’s piggy bank where the Trumps illegally parked their cash. That’s why the government shut it down; it was just another Trump scam, like Trump University or the entire Trump presidency.
1
The disdain Trump shows for our country is mind-boggling. And he managed to find, among the ones that haven't already gone to jail, the worst-of-the-worst to double down on the disdain.
If someone is going to run for president, they need to expect some scrutiny. If they are unwilling to expose themselves to scrutiny they shouldn't be president. Our founders knew presidents could do what Trump is doing and gave the legislative branch co-equal powers. Congress should dust off the inherent contempt power and use it. Those from Trump's administration who are serving time in jail need some company.
5
'Legitimate oversight functions' my ear.
Whatever your view of the legality of Mr. Neal's request, this has been a Democrat political target since Trump was sworn in. It's no less so today and should be treated as such.
10
@MinnRick
The problem with the democrats' "case" is that they have very obviously been pursuing Trump since he was elected. It's all well documented. It will be impossible to view this action in any other light.
4
Boy, Trump must be hiding something big to try to stop all congressional demands on anything. Congress does have the right to get those tax returns. Trump simply says no, based on his superior power in the Senate at the moment. This may possibly change with the election. But election will be a knock down drag out fight. Trump plays dirty, as is very evident now. Deomocrats that want a clean fight are disadvantaged by Trumps lack of ethics and in your face power plays. We have a unethical and amoral dirty fighter in the white house, but when it looks like he will lose, he just walks away and pretends it is nothing, diverting attention to a new handmade issue. He has a win at all costs mentality that does not mind violating the constitution as long as he thinks he can hold power. The Office of the Presdency is now held by a complete dictator. The US is not a democracy at this time. Democracy is being held hostage in a crime scene, having been stolen by Trump and his associates. It remains to be seen how long they can string this out.y
8
I don't care to share my personal income tax returns, and I suspect you wouldn't either. The Democrats in Congress are simply looking for dirty laundry they could use to boost their next reelection campaigns. The NYT is trying to enable them.
They would be better off establishing some clear, consistent baseline planks that have a hope of actually being implemented instead of the absurd laundry list that Clinton presented in the last presidential election campaign.
Come on - how many people voted because of promises about Area 51 files? About as many who would vote/not-vote based on 1995 tax returns?
The stink of desperation so soon?
2
It is imperative that no individual, not even an egoistical moron who has managed to convince a sufficiently large minority of the electorate to elevate himself to our presidency while acting as an agent for a vocal far-right faction of our population, is allowed to transcend the constitutional and lawful basis of our democracy.
7
There was passed--was there not?--some kind of act or statute after the notorious Teapot Dome scandal. Empowering Congress to REQUIRE and to GET the tax returns of any American citizen.
What Mr. Mnuchin does with this act or statute I don't know.
The House--of course!--has long smelled a rat lurking somewhere among the private papers and tax returns of Mr. Donald J. Trump.
He was not required by law--no indeed!--to make public those tax returns. But every President, starting (I believe) with Richard M. Nixon back in 1974 has done so. Why hasn't Mr. Trump?
His efforts to AVOID doing this--my goodness! They seem ever more frantic. The scowl on that scowling face deepens. The perpetual flush (saevus ille rubor ac vultus says Tacitus--"that cruelly flushed face") is redder and redder. The arms (in my imagination) are flailing angrily.
Sorry, New York Times. But gosh! What's the man got to hide--
--that his efforts to "safeguard" the rights of all American taxpayers seem ever more frenetic--
--and unconvincing?
No, New York Times. He ain't doin' all this for you and me.
HE'S DOIN' IT FOR HIM.
"Cause he's a crook. Sorry--but he is. You KNOW he is. We all KNOW he is. Ergo--Q.E.D.--
--I smell a rat.
So you you.
So does everyone.
5
Sorry, pious, self righteous progressive mouthpiece NY Times, Trump's tax return like all Americans is between him and the IRS. If the IRS do not find anything illegal with his income declaration, what business is it for you progressives? Get over it. He beat a crooked, dishonest Hillary and you progressives cannot accept America has spoken.
10
America spoke when HRC got 3 million more votes than your illegitimate president.
6
Suggested questions for AG Barr or Treas.S Munchin:
1. If D. Trump shoots someone on 45th St. should he be indicted, or turned in to police.
2. if D. Trump wants Muslims to wear armbands so all know their religion, should you obey or should you oppose?
3. if D.Trump allows (selectively) to have some alternative restaurants impose the "we reserve the right to refuse service to those whom we select" should you obey or oppose?
4. if D. Trump wants housing developments to have separate sections by race or ethnicity, should you obey, or oppose?
(hint: Eichman said YES to the above during A. Hitler's reich)
3
Dear NYTimes -- get over it. Trump won. Hillary lost.
11
And thanks to the Mueller Report, we now know how Trump won the election; with plenty of help from Vladimir Putin and Russian cyber criminals. No wonder Trump keeps his contacts with Russians hidden away like they were his tax returns.
Just a note:
NYT stock was at $13.00 when Trump took office. Today it closed at $32.85.
8
@P&L
It's called the "Trump Bump" at The Times. The problem is not the inherent bias required to keep this level of interest up. Most readers are smart enough to pick their way through it. The problem is what doesn't get reported. They are only getting half of every argument and only the facts that confirm that half.
4
@P&L
No whining from Jeff Bezos on this point.
Another trump tool that is throwing himself under the bus. What is wrong with these people, trump is a horrid little man that has never shown any loyalty to anyone. What’s the reasoning in joining his criminal enterprise?
3
Pity poor President Trump. Harassed by the "rule of law", the principle of Congressional oversight, the "high crimes and misdemeanors" language of the Constitution. Poor guy.
5
Geez....you actually think history is a guide, here? Let's face it, democracy is history, and the current swamp we are in is called oligarchy, and Mnuchin and his tastefully decked out wife are one of the principal faces of it. History holds no sway here. Sad days, indeed.
4
If Trump's taxes were released to the Oversight Committee then leaked (probable) to the New York Times would the Editorial Staff vote to publish them?
6
All the President's Men. well, mostly, save for the two PR types with initials "SS" and "KC." we are not a nation where any man (or woman) is above the law. yet the proprieties must be observed - but the courts must uphold our cherished legal principles, that to this day distinguish -- in every sense of the word -- our cherished Anglo-American jurisprudence.
A Man for All Seasons
Roper: So now you'd give the Devil benefit of law!
More: Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
Roper: I'd cut down every law in England to do that!
More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast — man's laws, not God's — and if you cut them down — and you're just the man to do it — d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake.
Oh based on this piece of genius work I am sure he’s going to run to the copy machine and fax the Congress a copy. Maybe even you.
3
When you surround yourself with crooks and thieves and liars and corruption and obstructors of justice and cheats, you can get away with being a crook, a liar, a thief, corrupt, a cheater, and an obstructor of justice.
1
Democrat,use this fool Mnuchin as an example. Charge him with contempt,have Sergeant ot Arms to arrest and put him in jail until he comply.
4
The Constitution crisis has arrived. It’s time to eradicate our government of the clowns and bogus bozos that inhabit it.
We want our country back, now!
Trump’s bozos and clowns are useless and unneeded. Flush immediately.
2
The administration is keen on an "because the president said so" view of executive branch power. Yet they cannot abide by "because Congress said so" as a view of legislative branch power. Which will lead us inevitably to "because the Supreme Court says so," which is the one that will stick.
2
It's is a terrible move. First, the IRS is the primary tax collecting agency. It should never be politicized in any way. Its role and reputation must be strongly protected. The last thing we need is for taxpayers to believe that the IRS is engaging in things other than pure tax collection.
What NYS is considering is even worse. To change a law so a political vendetta can be pursued signals to all New Yorkers that their tax returns are not secure. They are now subject to the whims of the powerful. Again, a terrible message to be sending.
Leave the IRS out of it.
9
Trump surrounds himself with absolutely craven individuals: Mnuchin, Barr, Ross, Huckabee-Sanders. Of course Trump should publish his tax returns! _What_ exactly is he hiding, and how does he expect to get away with it? People conceal in fear of consequences. What is Trump afraid of? The harder he tries to conceal his tax status the more convincing the argument that he's got something serious;y bad to hide. How much has he been cheating? And who? Well - probably everybody.
4
singling out one individual for legislative oversight, is indeed political rather than legislative.
shame on Dem.
it is just wrong. using the power of congress for political means and muckraking. awful.
7
Tell a lot of lies, big and small -- check.
Vilify the "other" -- check.
Demonize the press -- check.
Go after your political enemies -- check.
Undermine the judiciary -- check.
Put your own self above the law -- check.
Trump is just a natural-born dictator. That's ever more apparent.
Do we have the wisdom and courage to stop him? Remains to be seen.
5
Trump is a disrupter of all norms.
He will never care if the law says "shall".
This president WON'T follow rules, norms or laws.
However, when Trump leaves office he might be disrupted with some indictments.
2
That reminds me—where is Stormy Daniels when we really need her?
Delay, delay, delay until Trump can decide which country to attack - the plot of season 2 of President, Profiteering in the Oval Office - Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, China, Germany, Canada. Who will win the war contest? Will it be economic war or military? Syria won the first Season with just a skirmish. What does the head judge, Putin think?
A real nail biter.
1
Congress does not need Trumps returns to pass legislation. Nice try.
6
It should be noted that the committee can indeed secure Trump’s tax returns, but only if it is in closed execution session. The secrecy rules in such a session bar public disclosure. So the committee members are the only ones entitled to access to the returns. Read 26 USC section 6103(f) if you have any doubts.
1
@michjas
That has not stopped leaking. Lucky for the leakers that Obama is no longer president, he went after them with a vengeance.
1
No such conditions exist. The law simply says that if the House Ways and Means committee requests anyone’s tax returns, the IRS shall provide them. Period. All of this nonsense about reasons for the request or under what conditions they should be produced are just toothless Fox News talking points designed to muddy the waters even more.
This combined with Senator McConnell’s speech this morning should spark everyone to help the “get out the vote” groups before 2020. It is time that we vote these lemmings out of office.
5
No one is above the law! Hold him in contempt and put him in jail if he does not comply.
It is time we stopped tap dancing around these people who willfully break the law.
The arrogance alone is disgusting!
It is time to get tough. The American people, I believe would respect, indeed welcome, the law being upheld.
If any one of us could be tossed into jail for not paying a parking ticket, surely SWORN UNDER OATH government officials, can be for abusing the Constitution!
2
He's got something to hide! That should be democrats talking points from now on. What have you got to hide?
What is he hiding? I'm just so darn curious. Didn't really think much about it before, but now I gotta know.
3
Democrats just want to find something, ANYTHING, to help boot the current President.
We get it, the guy is trouble on so many fronts. But to continue will just then an exhausted country against them. Take the high road, for once, and gain your country back!
5
Why doesn’t SCOTUS weigh in on this issue? Because maybe its Chief Justice is a liar and a partisan before a law abiding citizen with the highest standards in terms of Constitutional Law. As a co-equal branch, his famous remark “we’re not any President’s personal legal representative” is a lie. SCOTUS is the final judge and arbitrator on Federal Law isn’t it?
Are they deaf, dumb & blind and thereby unable to realize the need for a written public opinion on these legal/lawful issues between The Congress and The Executive Branches as the third independent Branch specializing in The Law & Equities not politics.
If they would stand-up and offer their unsolicited legal public opinion in these matters before the taxpayers a Resolution to this political governmental mess could be expedited for our nation’s sake.
Too many of are federal leaders seem more self serving than public servants. Are The Justices guilty of Constitutional Crimes also by an abdication of Their Duties!
2
Justices don’t “weigh in” every time something interests them. They have to wait for cases to bubble up from the lower courts.
Parliament verses the King - when has that ever happened?
It seems that the question now is : is this all a waste of time?
Reasons: We are almost past the half-way mark for this toxic president's term; the Trump base will just dig their heels in further when more of his bad deeds and dishonesty are revealed. Should we just wait this out and push this freak out of office with our ballotts? Wondering if these dishonest members of the administration can be punished after Trump is gone, and a new president takes office?
2
The United States is suffering the consequences of failure of imagination. Nobody ever thought a immoral person would be elected president, and there aren't enough guardrails in place to control Trump's behavior, or that of his administration.
Trump has taken advantage of slow moving courts for decades, and things are more in his favor as president. I don't believe we'll ever see the tax returns or the security clearance documents. We won't hear any testimony from McGahn, or Mueller either. Trump has filled all the posts with shills. He's never paid a real price for his actions, and I don't expect to see it happen now.
I predict the democrats will act baffled and pathetic in the face of resistance. They could have started impeachment proceedings as soon as the midterm election was over. They would have grounds for any materials or testimony they wanted. But fear of a tweet, or talk of solidifying the base scared them.
So here we are. There isn't time for all this to go through the courts before 2020, and Trump and his team of criminals will slide again. Why would it be different this time?
Meanwhile, Trump pardoned a convicted murderer today.
6
The lawless GOP and the Trump misadministration will not let any of those stinking laws or Constitutional requirements get in the way of their grifting and stonewalling of our democracy. No sir, they just keep on acting like they live in an alternate universe called Trumplandia where whatever rules they decide are the only ones that matter. Imagine if President Hillary did 1/1000th of what this dotard is allowed to get away with by his enablers in the Senate?
3
If the tax return doesn't fit, you must acquit?
1
Hopefully they get a peek at his State tax returns soon, very soon.
1
The real reason Trump doesn't want his tax returns made public is because they would reveal that he is part Mexican.
3
Clearly, one needs to know the tax records of those to write and execute the tax code. One can even argue that there is no need for private tax returns. Wealth disparities are supported by secrets which are in turn hidden by fake privacy concerns. The Scandinavian countries have this correct - all tax returns should be public information to expose fraud and abuse.
After this Trump experience, Congress needs to write a law (or set of laws) that require all persons running for public office make public their tax returns. This public opening of tax records is the only way to identify fraud. Many candidates already do so; the tax record, and the willingness to share that record, is a characteristic of the honest person. People who are afraid of showing and defending their tax record would not run for office. It would keep the corrupt away and this is a very laudable goal.
4
Reading through these comments that are in direct opposition to a very well understood law, it strikes me that this many people can’t be so willing to suspend reality without a reason. I think the Republicans must hate the Dems a whole lot. Enough to be on a several year’s long vacation from the facts. This should concern everyone. Sooner or later, Trump will be gone, but this hatred that is stronger than reality may still be with us
7
In addition to the law being very clear about the power of the Chairman to request ANYONE's tax returns, there is another portion of the law governing ANY interference with this law. ANY person interfering IMMEDIATELY loses their job, can be fined, and can be sentenced to up to 5 years in Federal Prison. I can't help but wonder if Mnuchin has been briefed on what he is risking by getting involved in interfering with the Chairman's legal right to obtain Trump's tax returns. One way or another, it seems clear to me that Trump is going to have lots of company when he gets put away in Federal Prison for all of his crimes:)!
3
Does a member of the Executive branch get to decide what constitutes a Legislative purpose?
2
The law is the law. When that ceases to matter to people in positions of supreme power, it's far more than a constitutional crisis.
7
Trump will undoubtedly be given the distinction as the catalyst for a new law requiring presidential candidates to show their tax returns.
6
Mr. Mnuchin apparently presumes himself to be entitled to declare that the House demand for Trump's tax returns is politically motivated and serves no legislative purpose. The law and the Constitution are irrelevant in his thinking. Therefore, he feels justified in defying the order.
This is how banana republics begin, people.
10
We have a president who dares all others to line up against him and then uses lies, innuendo, and whatever means available, licit or illicit, to avoid the fight. He hides his records and those of the people around him. He changes his tune as often as the rising of the sun.
He shouldn’t be able to have it both ways. If the DoJ essentially prevents him from being indicted, he shouldn’t be able to hide the evidence. If trump thinks mcghan lied, he shouldn’t block him from testifying or bury his documentary records. And mr. mueller needs to defend and explain his conclusions.
Congress has oversight obligations and associated rights. Do your jobs - Democrats and Republicans alike - or you will fail to obey the obligations of your oath of office. It’s time for the partisan behavior to stop and begin defending,protecting, and upholding the Constitution. By the way, it’s obvious most of you have not read the special counsel’s report. May you should take the time to carefully review the details.
11
The Democrats need to prepare a comprehensive suite of constitutional reforms that address all of the weaknesses revealed by the war on democracy being waged by the GOP and Trump.
This should be done before the 2020 election so the American people can make a clear choice between a future life in a banana republic or a gold standard representative democracy.
6
When I was a kid, it felt so unfair that some rich kids got to be "themselves" more than I did. They didn't have to behave, tame down their impulses and desires, could be bratty and still be treated far better than we poorer kids were.
Trump seems like that bratty kid, making the world give him what he wants, regardless of any rules or ethics that the rest of us poor slobs have to live with.
Our upside folks is that we can actually grow up, possibly become noble beings, capable of virtue and personal fulfillment. He and his ilk apparently never will.
22
@Mary I think that is legitimate fuel for the idea that we are better off seeking political candidates from more modest backgrounds.
4
The same people who were demanding to see Obama's birth certificate are fine with trump's opaque finances.
26
It's more than what's in the tax returns. Trump is guilty of crimes such as money laundering from the Russian mob through his properties which is an offense of felony racketeering. There are bank and clearinghouse records which clearly show that 97 million dollars was laundered through his South Florida properties alone from Russian sources.
10
Of all the sleazy, shiny-suited enablers I find Mnuchin the most contemptible. His reputation and credibility has been shredded, and yet he continues to flip the bird to the American people. Thank you to the brave men and women of the House for pursuing truth on behalf of all Americans.
25
Will Congress demand to see the Clinton tax returns? The CGI records must hold incriminating evidence. Therefore, we demand they be handed over NOW!!
Or I'm going to cry. I mean it. I'll cry.
1
@Mike: 35 years of Clinton tax returns were made available for public scrutiny.
27
@Steve Bolger
Can you believe he wrote that!
Also Clinton is not POTUS, for cryin’ out loud. The false equivalencies are astounding.
1
May 7, 2019
For the love of tax laws and the universal intent, then Trump's pursuit of happiness guide for every great leaders as Winston Churchill: "There is no such thing as a good tax." However we file the tax reports and enjoy our citizen deal.
1
Is there no penalty for excessive, needless delay in complying with Congress's request for Trump's tax returns? Just askin'.
5
I am of the opinion that congress should not only hold each of these administration members in contempt and levy fines as permitted, but should also make clear that they will refer these cases to the next AG for prosecution. They should know that they will be held accountable once this nightmare is over. Let’s see how far they will go in defense of Trump if they know that this will follow them after they leave Washington.
17
@Kris
Yes! I can't wait for this nightmare to be over too! I want unemployment to rise again. Hope my stocks tank. And maybe ISIS can regain their "caliphate" territory again. Additionally, I want the IRS to go after conservative groups once more. Maybe even unload our remaining uranium resources to Russia, with a small fee to the Clintons.
Ah...I long for the good old days!
3
@Kris It would be far more effective in promoting their cooperation to hold them accountable immediately rather than "once this nightmare is over". Most of them may be dead by then.
I get the argument that we don't want Congress to request tax documents of individuals without good reason. However, the President, by virtue of being President, is no longer a private citizen but a member of the Executive, over which the House has oversight authority.
As I recall, in 2016, many Trump supporters were saying elections have consequences and that those unhappy with a President Trump should "get over it!" Well, I can say now that you were right. Elections have consequences.
And the last election placed Democrats in the House majority. Let the House do its job. In other words, "Get over it!"
Stonewalling by the executive is not the answer. If you believe these duly elected representatives are abusing their oversight authority the answer is for the people to remove them from office.
14
Every serious presidential contender for the past 40 years has released their tax returns in good faith. It's not an outrageous request.
7
In our systems of democracy, the rich and powerful can get away with anything. Why is Mr. Mnuchin not thrown in jail immediately for breaking the law? W've become a banana republic.
9
Trump is delaying. He is going to try to run the clock out. He is, clearly, violating the law. He knows he is. Those who are helping him know he is- and they know they are too.
In short he is acting just like an illegal immigrant and their professional advocates.
6
The request letter states: “is considering legislative proposals and conducting oversight related to our Federal tax laws, including, but not limited to, the extent to which the I.R.S. audits and enforces the Federal tax laws against a President.”
If this is the case then they should have only asked for the two years of returns during which the President was the actually the President. The additional four years is an utter fishing expedition intended to find “dirt” and no citizen should be forced to comply with such an order. I know the NYTimes is upset that the constitution can apply to Trump, but it does. He is entitled to the same privacy as any other American.
I suspect that because the request is written in way that obviously is at odds with itself, the SCOTUS will side with Trump and he’ll win again.
So much of what this paper writes and opines for is based on such irrational hatred of Trump that you just can’t seem to think things through. Sad.
3
Read the line you yourself quoted:
“Including, but not limited to” makes it clear that their request goes beyond that narrow scope.
1
@Ian. Read my lines about the fishing expedition and perhaps relate that to privacy and protections against unreasonable searches and seizures guaranteed by the constitution and then try to remember that Trump is protected by that same constitution. On it’s face, this request is unconstitutional because there is no reasonable reason to investigate lawfully filed and audited tax returns prior to becoming President other than to invade the President’s privacy and to harass him while in office.
Yes, there may be a law regarding congressional ability to look at tax returns but I would bet it can’t be used to commit an unconstitutional act. I can’t believe how ready some Americans are to throw out the constitution in order to “get” Trump.
Don’t talk to me about the honesty, fairness, and decency you seek in others until you’ve achieved it yourself. This is all so profoundly unjust.
1
Most of the comments regarding this letter speak to the absolute TRUTH that neither the NYT nor Neal and the Democrats in Congress will admit.
It’s as clear as can be:
“We know Trump is Guilty of something. He has to be because we hate him.
Just give us another chance.
We know we can find SOMETHING if we just have a shot at those “secret” tax returns.”
They are all worse than Birthers, 9/11 Truthers, and Collusion Delusionists.
2
@Park bench...So what does that have to do with whether or not it is illegal for Mnunchin do deny the request from Congress?
2
@Park bench
Yes, they are. But they'll never know it.
1
If these enablers can be put in jail,please put them in the general population.
7
Sorry, NYT. Congress has no legal authority to request his tax returns.
3
@Matthew Oh sure. Laws and SC rulings be damned! Trump is God and any questions are blasphemous!
2
You are, in fact, incorrect.
2
Chairman Richard Neal, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, is undoubtedly correct about the Committee’s right to the income tax returns of Donald Trump and his companies. It is well-settled law.
Since, however, Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, improperly inserted himself into the issue, Chairman Neal should have the Committee issue a second demand for income tax returns – Mnuchin’s.
5
While there is no question whether or not federal statute provides cover for obtaining President Trump's tax returns, it may very well run afoul of the 4th amendment's right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. The idea that the purpose of this request is anything other than "harassment" so they can have their allies in the media gin up another mountain out of a molehill is laughable. The country would be better served if the Democrats would ask themselves why they've alienated so many people outside of their Left Wing bubble to the point that a man such as Donald Trump is preferable to what they are selling.
5
Preferable to Trump? Wh has changed America from a democracy to a dictatorship?
Will the committee members agree that they and their staff members will automatically serve a year in jail if Trump's tax returns are leaked? Because I'm pretty sure that's all they really want to do with them.
3
@Paul McBride..... "if Trump's tax returns are leaked?" ...Since every other candidate running for the office of President over the last 50 years has voluntarily made their tax returns public, you need to define leak.
3
The question is simple-
Will Congress fight for their Constitutional right or abdicate checks and balances forever?
This has nothing to with whether Congress has the right, that is clear. It has nothing to do with asking why. It is simply a right to demand compliance. It is also very clear there is too much resistance to releasing the tax returns. The only reasonable conclusion is there is something to hide.
What is also clear is obstruction of justice and how easy it has become to ignore our Constitution.
6
No, Congress does not have a RIGHT to see Donald Trump's tax returns. I am not speaking of the legal right to do so, for perhaps they do have a legal right (doubtful), but what they don't have is a moral right to do so.
The Democrats failed to win the election, and from the day after the election until now, they have RELENTLESSLY pursued anything--ANYTHING!--to wreck Donald Trump's presidency. You don't have to like Donald Trump to know that that is the case.
If they are looking for forensic evidence of some massive payoff from Russia, then demonstrate probable cause and go from there. But that is not what Congress is up to. They are simply wanting to find anything to keep the ball rolling. If, as with the Mueller investigation, nothing comes of it, then you can be sure that they will then want to see Donald Trump's medical records or what have you (I imagine they would delight to have that information, even though they may know they cannot ask for it and no risk popular dissatisfaction).
Here's a message the Democrats need to get: YOU LOST THE ELECTION. DON'T LOSE THE COUNTRY IN YOUR DESIRE TO TAKE OUT TRUMP.
This is the most shameful Congress in my lifetime. The only close second is how the Republicans treated Obama. I am afraid that it won't stop until we truly are at each others' throats. That didn't work out in 1861 very well either.
11
@AaronS: 3 million more votes is a victory in a real democracy. This one is a shell of a scheme to establish state-optional liberty to enslave.
15
His financial interests overseas may be shaping his foreign policy agenda. We need to know how.
30
@AaronS...Obama, and every other Presidential candidate for the last 50 years have made thei tax returns public. Further, any complaint you might have against Democrats blocking Trump is a little bit lame as they have only had control of the House for a couple of months. Maybe you should wait a bit before you leap to judgment.
3
NYT Cultural Marxist stomping on individual rights headed to the Supreme Court: 5-4, go fish somewhere else, Mr. Nadler.
2
Arrest Mnuchin. He has broken the law.
17
What the heck does the "Times" Editorial Board think they are?
Congress can not just demand to see the Emperor's taxes!
Clearly faux-Emperor Trumpius can not simply allow mortals to see whatever they want behind the veil of his Disguised Global (crony) Capitalist Empire.
The Treasury Jester is not pleased --- please exit the Treasury Chamber, quickly, and by walking backward and bowed.
11
Harrassment?
Harassment by Congress would be for Congress to require that this president’s limousine be an armored clown car.
6
Munchkin is confusing his international trade expertise with his Constitutional law familiarity. Oh, yeah. I forgot.
4
Far out . . . . Non-lawyer newspaper employees opining about the application of law to fact, without understanding either. https://yalejreg.com/nc/can-congress-get-president-trumps-tax-returns/
1
Time to remove Steve Mnuchin from office for failure to perform his duties under the constitution & federal statute.
Sorry “Don Corleone”, the Secretary swore an oath to protect, and defend the United States, not your mafia.
9
Wow. These tax returns zealots are just as bad as the Obama birthers.
3
Mnuchin, the same guy that failed to report a mere 100 million dollars to the IRS, seems adamant in covering for Trump's cheating ways, true complicity of the 'rich and powerful' sharks that cover each other's trail of greed, a corrupt practice condoned by those in the know'. As everybody knows, the IRS personnel is kept on a short leash, so it remains unable to investigate graft as it's supposed to. Otherwise, how to explain that the largest U.S.corporations don't pay a dime in taxes? Legally, Mnuchin has no right to withhold Congress' request to see Trump's tax returns, none whatsoever.
13
I've been on Planet Earth for 63 years, I've never seen days nearly this dark for the health of our country's democracy. The scary thing is that they are likely to get much darker. I'm glad I have far more years behind me than ahead of me, and don't envy my children.
If I was a religious person I'd say there's a special place in hell for the likes of Graham & McConnell who not only allow this mockery of justice, alliances, and decorum go on, but vigorously enable & assist it. They will go down in history as textbook examples of party over country, 100% of the time.
31
Does Congress have "rights" (like people have rights or corporations have rights)? They have powers (people and corps don't really have powers) but what mechanism enforces those powers? Whose powers (from branch to branch) "trump" whose other powers?
It seems like a somewhat crazy game of "Rock-Paper-Scissors".
But I know how this game will end - rules be damned, our POTUS will hit someone over the head with a bat.
4
"The purpose of the request is not harassment......the committee is considering legislative proposals and oversight related to our Federal tax laws including, but not limited to, the extent to which the IRS audits and enforces the Federal tax laws against a President."
Sorry, I am not buying this as the whole truth. No, I do not think the request is harassment. The truth is we all suspect the President may be engaged with questionable business dealings with foreign governments and/or its citizens as well as possibly manipulating the value of his assets to prevent having to pay his full tax responsibilities.
Why not request the tax information from multiple Presidents from the recent past if the goal is "oversight and legislative change?"
Regardless of the law cited and that non- disputable word "shall," I don't think this is the intended spirit of the law. Probable cause to request tax returns should be the prevailing requirement. I think that exists and I would find the request coming from the Judiciary committee based on that criteria to be more compelling and clearly non-disputable.
3
@KH: Real estate developers and their lawyers are the most influential people in every state legislature in the US.
you forget -- recent Presidents ahared their tax returns
I am confused. Why did Trump call himself the law and order candidate? Can someone remind him?
11
@Marc
He also said the following:
"I'm the most successful person ever to run for the presidency, by far. Nobody's ever been more successful than me...."
"We're rounding 'em up in a very humane way, in a very nice way...."
"No matter what you do - guns, no guns - it doesn't matter. You have people that are mentally ill. And they're gonna come through the cracks." (Meet the Press, 2015).
Here are some of the things he actually thinks about:
Non-Disclosure Agreements.
A Robe that will match the curtains in the oval office.
Gold-Plated Bathroom Fixtures.
4
@Marc Murphy's Law and do as I order.
1
@Marc
Simple: He is the LAW, and he gives the ORDERs.
At least he and the GOP think so.
1
We are living in a banana republic. Trump and his administration are thumbing their collective noses at the constitution, rule of law, and the powers of Congress. Congress and the judiciary MUST hold Trump and his officials accountable. Impeachment should be moving forward.
3
@Jess Darby: The Republicans were elected to abrogate the powers of Congress to the states and the presidency.
Toiling over this issue, as is the case with every other aspect of Trump's presidency, is nothing more than a quixotic effort to bring reason and decency to the current state of American politics. Nothing matters. Trump has been shown to be a crook, a womanizer, a racist, a sexist, beyond phobic when it comes to the LGBTQ community, loyal only to brutal foreign despots, ignorant of foreign affairs, a compulsive liar and either a very deranged or simply evil egomaniac. Yet, nearly half of Americans worship him,clamoring for him at rallies as if he was a rock star. No disclosure that results from a review of his tax returns will change their views. Trump is simply a symptom of American ignorance and immorality.
7
If Steven M. can break the law without punishment, we all can.
5
Why do people say "sorry, but" . . . when they're not really sorry.
1
This is madness. The GOP is totally out of control.
7
The relevant law fails to acknowledge that:
Hyenas of a clan ravage together.
6
This is not a monarchy and constitutionally Congress is an equal branch of government. Enforce the law. Have Mnuchin arrested and stop playing games.
7
Trump is crooked. The question that begs to be asked is: How and why has the IRS not done deep audits on the crime lord? It's been going on for decades. Can Trump and his accountants be that much smarter than the IRS? If so, this is a bigly problem because there are many other billionaires that are also criminals. It's true.
2
Of course this is harassment. Just like emoluments.
Taking Mr. Neal at his word about examining modifications to IRS audits and enforcement of Federal tax laws, then why not ask to see President Obama’s tax returns? Surely a lesson can be found there. Or President Bush? Limiting it to one person under cuts the rationale. Likewise, what would the committee find in the returns to say leave the review process as it is? Why not call the folks in the IRS to testify about their process. How do the returns help? Also why not sign a non-disclosure to protect the information, if you are interested in oversight?
Similar to emoluments in that no one ever worried about Chinese buying peanuts to bribe President Carter.
I do support a constitutional amendment requiring the release of tax returns for any and all members of the senate, House and the President. Anything short of that will fail in the Supreme Court on a separation of powers argument that imposes an additional requirement on the office of the president. Fix it right!
4
@oszone
As far as I can remember previous Presidential candidates of both parties and 3rd parties released their tax returns. Donald Trump is the only candidate that did not release his returns because he was being audited and it obviously did not matter to his electability.
@oszone Trump is the ONLY president or candidate not to release his tax returns. Not sure why everyone does not know that.
1
We live in a republic with three different powers:
1) Executive: President
2) Legislative: Congress
3) Judicial: Supreme Court
Congress is not depending of the the President.
2
@Trassens: All formalized governments have legislative, executive, and judicial agencies. This is the order the US Founders wrote them into the Constitution, describing the most powerful body, Congress, in Article I, the Presidency second, in Article II, and the judiciary last, in Article III.
Don't be surprised that the judiciary abhors getting involved in disputes between Congress and the Presidency under this prioritization of powers.
1
Under the tax code, the head of House Ways and Means Committee can get any taxpayer’s returns and otherwise-private files from the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Neal made his request last month, seeking six years of Mr. Trump’s personal and business returns as well as audit records that could prove even more revealing. The law doesn’t give the administration any discretion, requiring that the Treasury secretary “shall furnish” any returns that Mr. Neal requests. It would take a separate committee vote to release anything publicly. Federal court cases, however, have established that congressional oversight powers have constitutional limits. Precedents prevent Congress from exposing personal information just for the sake of exposure and require lawmakers to have a legitimate legislative purpose when seeking information. In his request, Mr. Neal said the committee was studying how well the IRS audits presidents under a 1977 policy that established mandatory audits. Mr. Mnuchin has said that the request as written applied only to Mr. Trump, not previous presidents, and that Mr. Neal could have asked the IRS for information without getting the tax returns themselves. He cited various statements from lawmakers about their intentions to examine the returns, which extend far beyond the narrow question of IRS performance. In his letter on Monday, Mr. Mnuchin offered to provide information about the IRS audits of presidents.
1
Sorry Steve. Congress is still going to be able to examine Trump's NYS tax returns, as well as the financial statements submitted to Deutsche Bank when he applied for his loans there.
Gee, I wonder if the former "Dean" of Trump "University" and one of the main beneficiaries of Trump's Charity might be guilty of bank fraud or tax fraud.
Hmmm...
... what are the odds.
2
The law actually doesn't require Chairman Neal to provide a reason for the request.
Instead of citing concern about IRS procedures concerning presidential return examination, maybe Mr. Neal should have quoted that great constitutional scholar Richard Nixon: "the American people have the right to know their president is not a crook."
3
An investigation should be launched to look into a crime, not looking FOR a crime. The same goes for releasing anyone's tax returns. To argue otherwise sends us back to the Middle Ages. The Democrats have no shame.
6
@HozeKing....Wrong. It is the job of Congress to pass necessary legislation. For example, legislation regarding how an office holder's business dealings are to be managed, and especially business with a foreign government, in order to prevent or avoid a conflict of interest.
1
Amazing to see how many people are actually arguing in favor of Mnuchin blocking this. Seriously? Have nay-sayers not read a thing about Trump? Just off the top of my head, suspicious activities include: his Taj Mahal casino was shut down for 106 counts of money laundering; his charity has been shut down for -- and I'm quoting the judge -- "a shocking pattern of illegality" WHILE he was President; his University was shut down for fraud and settled for more than $20 million; Cohen testified under oath and produced documentary evidence that Trump committed bank fraud with Deutsche Bank; this newspaper produced a very strong case that Trump committed fraud on his estate tax... and the list goes on and on and on. It is very likely that Mnuchin and the hyper-hypocritical Republicans are aiding and abetting a full-blown mafia-style criminal. We have every reason to see Trump's -- and all subsequent President's -- tax returns. Now.
5
"Well, hello, fellow Bankers and Hedgefund Managers for Trump! In other words, hello to my Financial cabinet members in the Trump Administration.
"As you know, my name is Steve Mnuchen and now I have what I've always wanted all along! I'm a celebrity!
"And when you're a celebrity you can get away with anything!
Even more than when I worked as a banker overseeing1000s of foreclosures and making a killing during the "Great" Recession! Balloon mortgages are called balloon mortgages for a reason, you know. They make me feel high!
"So why shouldn't the president of the United States get away with anything.
"So what if his financial statements offered to a Bank to obtain loans are going to show that his earnings are different from the earnings shown in his taxes. If I were still a banker, would I care?
"No! Because as long as Trump is president of the United States, he has a heck of a lot of money at his disposal. YOUR money! Plus money from Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. Speaking of real estate, that hotel in DC is raking it in!
"Yes, I know conflicting statements = fraud. I'm familiar with fraud.
"But who cares. Congress? Yeh, but who cares about this Congress. Those plebians need to mind their own business and just go legislate something."
3
@Jbugko, One of the sad commentaries on this era of our political history is that satire has lost its sting, along with its function of rendering gross evil and dysfunction policies transparent to audiences. To get the point across, the satirist needs to go so far "out" from the already-incredible reality that the result reads more like the description of a nightmare than a critique of real events.
Your satire is clever. I enjoyed it, but I am sure that some reading it will pick up passages and repeat them as though they were the best arguments they could find in defense of Mnuchin and Trump. Ah, the irony!
1
You thought you elected a president. In fact you elected a monarch, a dictator - a grifter who will do anything, surround himself with the most obsequious of henchmen, in order to retain power.
Who among your elected officials are ready to stand up and defend your Constitution? Not enough Republicans, apparently.
4
Why? Why all this chicanery for this man, Donald Trump? Seriously. That's what I can't wrap my head around.
4
Mr. Mnuchin.
What has Donald Trump promised you, or what does he have over you, enabling you to obstruct the lawful demands of Congress? Obviously, your willingness to grovel before Trump, just shows what a little toady, yes-man you are.
Consider resigning at the soonest opportunity.
3
Or will it be appealed to a very politicized and polarized Supreme Court?? Hi my...
1
munchi is, was, and always will be crook. to expect him to obey a law is wishfull thinking.
1
I'll say it - we are watching Trump and Co, along w/ (what appears to be ) almost all of the Repubs in (at the least) the Senate, stage a sort of coup. A coup against our founding father's vision - the Constitution. A sort of coup, that if fully successful, could lead to what the Repubs (at least seemingly) have been angling towards for years and years now - their permanent (certainly near permanent) ensconcement as sole (certainly almost sole) "rulers" of our nation..!
3
It seems to me that Trump is playing a game of chicken with the Congress by rebutting House of Representative demands for documents and testimony (e.g., Trump's tax returns, McGahn's testimony, bank documents, Mueller's testimony, the unredacted Mueller report). Who will blink first? And it seems to me that the Democrats in the House are blinking time and again. It is time for our Democratic representatives to stop appeasing Trump out of fear of what will happen next year in the presidential elections. It is time to stop appeasing, to stop blinking; it is time for Democrats to throw the congressional contempt card and, if necessary, get these important matters into a court of law where they can be discussed and decided seriously.
2
Trump, the master showman, is justing toying with Democrats in Congress and the never Trump base. He will let everyone work themselves into a frenzy about the tax returns and "reluctantly" release them but they will contain nothing illegal, perhaps embarrassing if Trump were capable of that.
Trump, the confirmed birther, would have been audited by the IRS under Obama and Lois Lerner if not earlier because of his flamboyant life style. If a crime has been committed on his returns we would would know about it.
Speaker Pelosi is right, Trump is goading the Congress into impeachment, to his advantage in 2020.
5
@Mister Mxyzptlk: Trump's tax returns are likely to resemble his son-in-law's. With all the special provisions for real estate developers, he has probably paid very little income tax.
1
On which form does one list their earnings from money laundering?
That's the problem, Trump's taxes will tell us only what was revealed.
4
@Blue in Green
Deutsche Bank loan applications are also going to be examined.
What do you think is going to happen when his financial statements submitted to a bank are compared to his financial statements that were submitted to the IRS.
IF he defrauded them, it's tax fraud and it's bank fraud. Both are felonies.
Ask his former campaign manager what that brings.
4
@Jbugko, as long as Barr is AG, Trump has a 'Stay out of Jail Card'
2
@Blue in Green...I disagree. What if he has received a loan from say Saudi Arabia? In such a case what concerns should there be with regard to the conduct of foreign policy and a conflict of interest?
What “legitimate legislative purpose” is Congress pursuing with its demand for Trump’s tax returns? None is apparent. If the real purpose is to embarrass Trump, then turning over the returns may set a dangerous precedent. Nothing would prevent a Republican controlled Congress in the future from demanding returns from anyone they chose, such as contributors to Democrat candidates.
3
@Marc McGuire you are kidding, no??
1
@Marc McGuire..."None is apparent". ....Only if you are willfully blind. How about legislation which might require anyone holding public office to turn their business interests over to a blind trust to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and especially with regard to foreign governments.
That Steve Mnuchin can determine what is and what is not a legitimate legislative purpose is mind-boggling. However, it is not surprising. And, it should not be viewed as reflective of aberrant thinking inside this White House. Indeed it reflects the thinking and practices of a chief executive who never reported to a Board of Directors.
Just as it is not surprising now, no one would be shocked in the coming weeks and months when others in this White House declare that courts have no legitimate judicial purpose weighing in on these assertions of executive power.
4
@Tom Q: The US Federal Government is a public corporation in which each citizen of age can vote one share in a complex scheme to elect a legislature to serve as its board of directors and a president to act as its CEO.
@Steve Bolger That's a curious take. Not accurate at all, but interesting. The government simply isn't a corporation.
2
It is important that if the House requests Trump's tax returns, they have a nonpartisan teason. Indeed they do: the Emoluments Clause. To understand what financial conflicts of interest Trump or his administration may have in establishing its foreign policy agenda, it's important to know about his, and his administration's, business dealings abroad. Who holds foreign loan notices? Are Trump family financial obligations shaping American foreign policy in any way?
4
"Conduct its legislative functions"? I'm pretty sure that "because we want them" and "witch hunt" are not "legislative functions".
4
This is harassment- pure and simple. And as such, there is absolutely no reason to give Congress access to Trump’s tax returns.
4
"Conservation" of the legal system has now become the language of the liberal oppressed. Declaring "revolt" against well-established norms has become the language of unaccountable power.
The right has figured out that laws are impotent without agreement, and that political power allows them to reign without account.
But our legal system offers a humanistic political alternative to violent revolution. If the buffoons in the White House go too far in destabilizing the legal system, it will leave "we the people" with no other alternative than revolution.
@Alix Hoquet, Or if the buffoons in the White House go too far in oppressing the people, it will, in Jefferson's words, give us both the "right" and the "duty" to "alter" or to "abolish" a goverment that has turned tyrannical--radical reform or revolution. And some Democrats still recoil at mention of the 'i" word?
Both Mnuchin and Barr need to be slapped with contempt of congress charges and then they need to be arrested and taken to jail. Let them be processed and post bond.
This outright defiance of congressional oversight cannot be tolerated. These people of low character trying to help Trump hide himself and his records and actions have to suffer consequences for flouting American law and governmental norms. It's past time to take them to jail. They need an attitude adjustment that perhaps only cooling their heels in jail will accomplish.
5
Mnuchin is showing his ruling class, new swamp colors. So much for a Yale education. These elite schools are breeding grounds for wealthy, no laws apply.
2
We're living in times where our own elected officials are being denied legal access to the President's tax returns. This occurs shortly after Hillary's information was stolen and exposing it was considered "justice" by Trump's supporters. Just for good measure, it's ok if Russia got the information for Trump's campaign.
So what is it for our country? If someone hacked Trump's returns and exposed dubious activity or lies, what would be Trump's, Republicans and supporters responses? What would be the nation's response? Is this illegal? Or did the nation have a right to know what's in those returns?
This is the twisted, conspiracy driven slope of "justice" to which Trump has devolved our country. Theft of information is valid. The Congress is no longer a legal institution to his supporters.
7
@Martin: The entire history of the Clinton's tax-paying accumulation of wealth has been laid out for the scrutiny of these utterly despicable hypocrites.
4
The lawlessness and corruption in this administration has no limits or shame. The scariest part is that the blatant lies and open corruption does not seem to matter to Trump's base whatsoever. In fact almost the opposite. Mnuchin almost becomes a hero by violating yet another law. The checks and balances are one at a time being bent or broken. Our democracy is in grave danger and we appear to be heading down the road to tyranny.
10
@stevecj7601
Steve, as the late great Jewish intellectual, Hannah Arendt, warned her own German people:
"Empire abroad entails tyranny at home".
And as I like to warn the American people in an old show tune:
"We got trouble right here in River City, and that begins with 'T', and that rhymes with 'E', and that stands for EMPIRE".
3
Trump defies the law because he can. McDonnell has his back, his underlings have his front, and we will see soon whether the SCOTUS gives their stamp of approval. The census case will be decisive.
3
I don't understand why the House Dems. are asking for the returns. The Obama IRS has been auditing Trump for years and years and everything has been clean. Now the opposition party isn't satisfied? Go figure. The House is looking rather petty at this point. Seems rather desperate at this point.
6
@PanchoVilla...The Obama IRS has been auditing Trump for years and years and everything has been clean.....Hello. He wasn't President then. The question here is business involvements with foreign countries that might potentially involve a conflict of interest.
1
The law requiring the IRS to hand over tax returns was passed by Republicans after the Teapot Dome scandal. The remedy for congressional abuse of this power lies with congress (to control its members) and the voters, not with the Department of Justice or the federal court system.
4
This is a president who has refused to divest himself from his businesses, shamelessly promotes them at every opportunity, pursued a lucrative development deal in Russia during the campaign, and lied about it to the American people, was prepared to bribe Putin with an expensive penthouse apartment -- of course he needs oversight. Jesus. Who could argue against that?
17
Several units in Trump Tower NY are owned by obscure holding companies. Question: Who really owns them?
1
This is Steve "Yes Donald I will" Mnuchin's response, not one by the Treasury Secretary. Citizen me, now more than ever, wants a peek at those returns..
8
From the early days of the Mueller investigation, Trump said looking into his or his family's financial holdings would be a red flag. Makes you wonder why. If everything is above board, why not show that?
4
Congress might have “the right” to see Trump’s tax returns but, quoting Stalin’s dismissal of the Catholic Church’s objections to his imposing a totalitarian Communist regime in Poland after World War II ended, “how many divisions does the Pope have?”
2
Contrary to what many commenting here seem to believe, the Constitution gives no investigative or oversight powers to Congress. None. They gave themselves that power. They should not be allowed to use that power for political ends.
We have seen how that can work. The House Un-American Activities Committee abused its power in looking for "reds" in government. So too, most famously, did Joe McCarthy shamefully abuse his Senate subcommittee powers for bald political ends.
Richard Neal wants Donald Trump's tax returns to disclose them to the public and inflict political damage. There's no secret about that. Asking for them abuses the power of Congress. It's a disgrace.
5
@John Smithson
But we are a nation under the Rule of Law. If you don't like the law that says Congress can view anyone's tax return, then advocate to your Congressman and Senators to change it.
Mitch McConnell blocked a hearing for Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination. He got away with that lawful act, albeit against the spirit of the law. Why shouldn't Mr. Trump be equally subject to the Rule of Law?
7
@John Smithson: The Constitution clearly spells out the process of impeachment and trial by which Congress may choose to remove insubordinate presidents. That provision subordinates the presidency to Congress unconditionally.
3
@John Smithson. What type of political damage can be inflicted by disclosure of the returns? That he hasn't paid any taxes? That he used questionable methods to skip paying taxes? That most of his loans came from dubious foreign sources? Well deserved political damage, and more...
2
Ah, then there is Mitch "Case Closed" McConnell.
Like Mnuchin, it's becoming clear there are two types of politicians in DC.
There are those who want to honor their oaths of office and then there are those who are joining in the cover-up of Trump's clearly illegal perversion of the presidency.
16
It is time for a patriotic and brave soul on Mueller's committee or in the IRS to leak. There is far more justification than there was for the Pentagon Papers.
10
How many more top Republicans need to fall on their swords before they realize the toxicity of proximity to their president?
7
The Democratically sponsored spying on Trump continues.
4
The POTUS and his failure to follow the law is a cancer that has infected our government. The Republicans have the antidote to this cancer but refuse to use it, jeopardizing the health of our entire democracy. It is time to forcefully act Democrats before the cancer has irreversibly damaged our democracy.
9
The editors should have realized at the point that they wrote “to conduct its legislative function” that their editorial is a farce.
There is no legislative reason for congress to have the Presidents tax returns only a political one.
And that don’t count. LOL
3
@John Gilday
The law does not require a legislative purpose to view a tax return. It says, "shall."
8
Deranged Donnie's Standard Operating Procedure is to obfuscate, bully, threaten and sue. Same playbook. That's what he has done all his life. So, what's different?
3
@David2017: "What's different?" Savvy bankers and businesspeople catch onto his playbook and then stop dealing with him. We the people must put up with his corruption because he "won the elaction." Unless Congress acts on our behalf. . . .
It's plain and simple. Steve, employee. That's all. Bring him in to a cell. Or, fire him. Same with William. Let them share a cell. Give them time away from Mr Twitterhead to think like the adults they should be. American citizens, first.
3
Remember when Trump first took office and Republicans excused his behavior because Trump "wasn't used to how things are done in Washington"?
Do you hear any Republicans saying that now?
6
On just one issue, a tax return for today’s example, could the President provide a clear, rationale and sound argument- end to end - to justify his position, without notes, in public.
Provide confidence that he is more than a savvy and slippery fast talker? You know, Presidential behavior. I ask for ONE example.
“The court has repeatedly affirmed the validity of congressional actions taken within the ‘sphere of legitimate legislative activity.’”
Dems problem is that their subpoena for President Trump’s tax returns has nothing to do with “legitimate legislative activity.” Let’s call it for what it really is....a political witch hunt!
5
@Bill Weber . Let's call it cheating and lying and obstructing.
4
As Bugs Bunny would say, This means war. Trump should tell Nadler to jump in a lake. Enough is enough.
3
@Jon Galt
It is fitting that you compare the TV clown in the White House to a cartoon character.
1
@Jon Galt
I bet you say that to all the wabbits.
1
There aren’t enough prison cells in America to hold Trump, his criminal family and all the Trump co-conspirators like Mnuchin and the rest.
6
@Mark
Then I guess we'll need more private prisons.
Oh wait, that might the ticket to get the Republican for-profit prison owners to wake up and finally oppose Mr. Trump. The profit motive. :)
1
The New York Times used to be a reliable non partisan publication. This opinion of the editorial board clearly shows its transformation is not limited to the bias of individual journalists, but has become the governing policy.
7
@Mike
The truth is worth it.
1
@Mike....It isn't the NWT that has changed. And you might answer just what is wrong with bias against criminal behavior in the White House?
Civics lesson 101
The Mueller report, even redacted by Trump's lackey, William Barr, reveals enough information to justify further Congressional investigation into Trump's finances. Trump has been linked to Russian money launderers for years. There is major legal precedent and a Constitutional mandate for the House of Representatives to investigate any and all suspected wrong-doing on the part of the executive branch so new protective laws can be enacted. The Democrats must use every technique available to them to obtain information that may to be critical to our national security.
When a witness in a congressional inquiry ignores a subpoena—and refuses either to testify before a committee or hand over requested documents—the committee can vote to issue a citation for contempt.
".. person cited may arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms for the House, brought to the floor of the chamber, 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 from the contempt citation)."
"Congress's Contempt Power and the Enforcement of Congressional Subpoenas: Law, History, Practice, and Procedure"
Todd Garvey, (May 12, 2017).
7
Why do we support these (democrat) losers?
If your house got burgled, taken over by blatant thugs, with supremacists functioning as bodyguards, would you be negotiating with these nice people, asking them to play nice? My understanding of the American culture is, that people generally understand the threat, and dispense with niceties.
Democrats, please dispense with the niceties.
With Trump, a criminal class of people are in power. They are arrogant because they know democrats do little more than huff and puff. What is there to negotiate with McConnell when he says he will do everything to shut down the presidency, the people be damned, the country be damned. What is to negotiate with people who threaten to (and do) shut down the government and hold people hostage? What on earth is there to negotiate with Mnchin? In any self respecting country, he would be tarred and feathered out of town.
But, democrats have yet to find ground on which to stand. They make virtue of their spinelessness, fecklessness, fear of acting. Republicans should be laughed out of town for talking about global warming, trickle down economics, and other nonsense in their daily briefing - but no.
2
Too many commentators, including NY Times, are not worried that SCOTUS will resolve cases in the contest between Trump and the House favoring Trump. True, the Courts have been a brake in Trump, but SCOTUS now includes 5 men - all men - whose sport of Presidential power falls to the right of Louis XIV. What will we do if and when SCOTUS takes a fateful step toward autocracy? This is better strategized before the fact than after it, given the extreme rightward tilt of SCOTUS.
Wouldnt IRS have done something years ago if there where anything shady with Trumps tax records? I fear his plan is to fight this as long as possible and then release the paper right before the election. Nothing big will be found an he can again declare «total exoneration».
3
@Erik: You have seen how the Republican Congress treats IRS executives who won't approve tax preferences for fake educational charities chartered to undermine its credibility to collect taxes.
1
I fear its a trap
@Erik..."Wouldnt IRS have done something years ago if there where anything shady with Trumps tax records?" ....Wake up call. There is a huge difference with a private citizen doing business with a foreign government, and the occupant of the White House who controls foreign policy having similar business dealings.
Please Democrats, don't give up one inch! We demand payback for Clinton's impeachment, Bush's stolen election and war crimes, the Tea Party, McConnell's legislative obstruction, and all obstruction of justice, contempt and power grabs the R's have been up to for decades. Your electorate demands retribution, cowardice will not be tolerated in the next elections! Pay them back in kind, and more!
4
@Timmy
Timmy - all you had to do to get your “retribution” was to elect Hillary.
Sorry.
You can bet that if you or I ignored a subpoena, we’d be in jail forthwith!
10
@Honora. Prove it
1
Like Michael Cohen told America publicly; once you get absorbed into Trumps orbit you knowingly aid and abet the Trump cause until he gets you to commit criminal acts. Mnuchin like the others that have stayed in the administration have fallen prey, lost their compass, lost their collective soul. There appears no fall back position or compromise for either party. Pelosi and the Democrats must counter with an effective legal response grounded in what best for country not party. If not and we lose our legal system how much longer will these United States remain united.
3
@nc: Mnuchin cut his teeth ripping off seniors in the reverse mortgage racket.
We should probably look at Steve’s too. No doubt there’s sleazy calculations in his returns. The entire administration is made up of thugs. So disheartening for our country.
8
He can run but he can't hide.
1
I think it's perfectly fine for the WH to challenge Congress' legal right to the tax returns, as long as Mnuchin sits in a jail cell until the court proceedings are complete.
16
This is kind of like a burglar complaining about police harassment when he's asked to hand over the weapon he just used to rob the store. Yes, when the President has been shown to have gotten away with tax fraud in the past (thanks to the NYT reporting), bank fraud (probable, considering the evidence Cohen presented under oath), and his organizations have been repeatedly cited for fraud, money laundering, and a "shocking pattern of illegality," to quote one of the judges, then, yeah, harass him away. Mnuchin knows exactly what he's doing here -- obstructing justice on behalf of a corrupt criminal.
6
Your argument is all well and good and agreeable to me, but for one thing. The President and his lackeys will not allow his tax returns to be seen be anyone in Congress. They can go to Court. What makes anyone think that the Courts will agree with the Democrats?
1
It is the law. It has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Until proven otherwise I choose to believe that this Supreme Court is not corrupt like this administration.
6
If this extended mockery of justice unfurled under any Democrat, there would be impeachment or much, much worse. Root these criminals out for the sake of democracy.
3
If an officer confronts a suspicious looking person and asks what he has in his hand, but the person hides his hand and says "nothing, nothing, believe me, believe me", the officer has every right to be suspicious. As part of his job working for the rest of us, the officer has a responsibility to find out what it is.
If he continues to hide his hand and any possible contents for 2 years, while crying "Fake Cop, Fake Laws, Witch Hunt, and my lawyer agrees with me", only an incredibly incompetent officer, or a paid-off officer, would just walk away saying "Maybe he doesn't have anything".
Trump looks very suspicious by refusing to provide his tax returns, as all candidates have for many years. He makes himself look all the more guilty by struggling for 2 years to keep them hidden.
It would only be harassment if the person had shown the officer when first asked, yet the officer spent the next two years demanding to see what he'd already seen. It would only be harassment if Trump had shown his returns, but Congress or Dems kept demanding more.
I want law enforcement including Congress to do its job, not just believe whatever they're told. Trump's followers will probably claim they support law enforcement. But soooooo many times they've proven they don't.
Didn't Trump claim he'd be the "law and order" President?? Weren't any of his followers listening?
5
I'm sure Al Capone didn't want anyone to see his taxes either. No, you don't get to re-write all the rules, just because you're president. Nobody is above the law, and elections have consequences (2018).
6
If the executive need not comply with laws who else may be a scofflaw?
7
Sooner or later we will be treated to just how the Supreme Court has changed with Trump stacking the deck. If they ignore the law and let Trump get away with these matters, then there will be no doubt that Roe V. Wade is toast.
And we are well on our way to a Russian style pretend democracy with a pretend rule of law.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
6
There is no doubt in my mind that the House is correct. The issue is, what is the House going to do about it. Requests for compliance do not seem to make any difference. Orders of compliance do not seem to make any difference, but there is a nuclear option for the House. No money for Justice or the DHS until this issue is resolved. Most people think the local cop is good enough to protect them. Maybe we should put that to a test.
5
In every Job that requires any type of loyalty and duty employer require a credit check, and you sign off that you have no conflicts. This is for any manager that handles money in every company. Why would not we the people, or our representatives, be interested that our commander and chief has some type of conflict?
The larger question is why is not our representatives interested?
4
If, as many suspect, Trump's tax returns could reveal wrong-doing, including criminal activity, collusion with Russian businesses, or other inappropriate behavior, then Mnuchin himself could be obstructing justice by withholding the returns. He is not protected from prosecution as the sitting president is, and he is subject to impeachment by the House. In the run-up to 2020, Trump's vulnerabilities lie as much with his underlings as with himself.
5
So basically we are not a land of laws... or somehow our laws do not apply to Republicans apparently... this is truly an eye opening moment for us, as we realize our nation is not a democracy but rather a republic of oligarchy. The American elite will not see its demise as it barrels towards it. But it’s coming, with each moment that this system is tolerated we come closer to the breaking point. This train wreck will not end well.
6
Leave the alone already. Trump refused to reveal his tax returns while he was campaigning for the presidency. He was elected anyway. The democrats can’t do anything but harass this president. It is beyond ridiculous. Keep it up and they will surely lose in 2020.
5
Personally, I think, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain,” is a better line. Traditional, too.
4
@Marie Seton
Your statement is factually wrong. Trump, in fact promised to release his taxes when they were no longer under audit. This LIE apparently appeased his rabid base and the many who hated Hillary more than they loved Trump's taxes. Trump now refuses to provide any evidence that in fact an IRS audit was/is being conducted. So your beloved Commander and Cheat continues to play you and all who idolize him for complete FOOLS.
1
'The Treasury secretary then “shall furnish” the requested information to the committee so that it may conduct its legislative functions.'
Come on congress, what else do you need to know about Trump to conduct 'legislative Will you next ask for detailed, blow-by-blow account of his dallying with Stormy Daniels, down to its nity-gritty, with no holes barred?
2
That’s exactly what the Republicans did to Clinton. So, no, they’re not even close to that level yet.
5
Notice to Trump appointees who flout the law: Michael Cohen is looking for a cellmate. And plenty more cells available in the same prison. Just keep doing what you're doing.
9
Stunning. Trump, his "Republican" Senatorial conspirators, his wealthy friends are all flaunting--loudly--they are above the law; the law does not apply to them. Outrageous! They are not above the law!!!
6
Perp-walk Mnuchin. And Tony Sayegh.
5
All hail King Trump!
Clearly laws don’t apply
2
"On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
- H. L. Mencken (July 26, 1920)
13
End the lawlessness. Arrest Mnuchin.
8
Nice try, Steve.
1
Lock Munichin up.
4
Steve Mnuchin is little better than a shill, and should not be in a position with the authority of Treasury secretary, much less than in a position to refuse to release the President's tax returns.
As someone who failed to comply with federal ethics rules in the sale of his stake in a film production company to his wife, he is the last person in the country to have any say in what happens to Trump's tax returns.
7
Worst president, ever! And he keeps getting worse.
5
Since Mnuchin also seems willing to take a bullet for his boss, we should find him a room next door to Michael Cohen.
6
Lot's of comments here about "only people with something to hide would stonewall congress for the tax returns".
So...in EVERY blue state where they propose to prevent a presidential candidate to be on the ballot, unless that person make his/her returns public - why then do those bit of legislation EXCLUDE the state governors, senators, and assembly from being forced to do the same?
Is it that they ALL have something to hide?
2
You break the law, you go to jail. It’s simple American justice. It should apply even to a Treasury secretary. Lock him up!
4
While I do think that Trump's taxes would show money laundering, tax fraud and many other nefarious activities by Trump, I had a terrible thought the other day that the proof of his corruption is so well hidden that taxes would somehow show absolutely nothing. Trump knows how to play the press and his opponents like a violin, getting them to focus on the taxes, knowing that they're nothing there. Think of the gloating if this were to happen, especially before the election. What a nightmare!
3
@Miriam
Good point. The old switcheroo. Also, I would assume if there was clear evidence of criminality the IRS would have moved on Trump.
2
'The Treasury secretary cited no authority for this stonewalling, '
Clearly, Trump and his whole administration is behaving mulishly, or in other words, 'they are a bunch of khachchars (i.e., 'mule' in many south Asian languages).
1
It's seems there is a conspiracy to obstruct justice and the "president" has done everything in his power to surround himself with those who would do his bidding and support him, much as Putin, Kim, and other dictators have done and are doing.
This administration is flagrantly flouting the law because they believe they are above it. For this country to rely on an already broken electoral system for relief from this slow-rolling coup that is nearly complete, is to bury its head in the sand (the coup will be complete by 2020, regardless of the outcome because Trump and the Republicans have laid the foundation for the election's fraudulence - the narrative is out there and when the lies are repeated enough, they become truth).
It is time for impeachment. Whether or not it is successful, it may bring Trump et al.'s foibles to the light of day. Not sure what good that will do, but ... there you are.
5
Who ever said that the POTUS' taxes returns accurately reflect his income and expenses? There is no doubt that all his businesses have, double and triple sets of books. Getting the Tax returns will probably only show 10% of the real numbers if that much.
3
Are we there yet?
Definition of fascism:
A political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition.
6
Only a tax payer with something to hide would put up such a fuss. Especially if the returns have already been audited and any additional taxes and or penalties and interest paid. So, what's the beef?
I'll leave it to others to speculate. What is obvious is that Trump has issued a GDN...(General Directive of Noncompliance) to all of his factotums, sycophants, hangers on, cabinet members, and department heads. The thinking is that they can stall any and all requests for as long as possible...maybe until the court rules, unequivocally, that they must comply or risk contempt of congress with jail time attached.
It's a silly game, contrived and initiated by a person with a consciousness of guilt, that will just need to play itself out.
Even Atty. Roy Cohn would advise Trump, under the circumstances, to pick his fights. Where you have a small chance of prevailing, you can fight. When it's a clear loser ? Comply. Live to fight another day. The tax return battle is a sure loser. But then, so is Trump.
2
Donald Trump has for over a decade been running his criminal enterprise, a money losing operation, as a cover by Russian oligarchs to launder funds that they pull from their country, under the protection of Vladimir Putin.
The Mueller report outlines the sordid history of the causes and effects of this symbiosis. Lots of Russian "loans". Lots of scandalous reciprocation by Trump.
Trump is currently being abetted by Steven Mnuchin and by William Barr in our Executive Branch and by Mitch McConnell in our Legislative Branch.
Goldman Sachs Chief Information Officer Mnuchin is well aware of the financial shenanigans Trump has had with Deutsche Bank and their ties to the Russian mafia.
William Barr, more simply, craves to be a Supreme Court Justice.
McConnell, good ol' boy Southern gentleman that he is, just likes all the lunacy and chaos that the Trump administration has unleashed on our Republic.
Trump and his sycophants Mnuchin, Barr and McConnell are in toto, a criminal, treasonous cabal that must be vanquished, or the USA will not survive.
4
“If they have nothing to hide,...”
Where have we heard that before?
4
We need to see how many years Trump has refused to pay taxes and his family while living it up daily. He should get jail time after his first and only term. The IRS officials need to go to jail for aiding to keep his taxes from the public. Why aren’t the churches who supported Trump and the greedy GOP not coming forward and demanding more honesty and less criminal conduct from Trump and the GOP. They are fake in my view and a big part of the problem .
3
"Mr. Mnuchin said he consulted with the Justice Department" That is quite a feat! I have been trying to visualize its dimensions since I think in images and not in words. I imagine that Sec'y of the Treasury Mnuchin did not speak to a solid building; of whatever aesthetics. Nor did he seek elucidation from a complex organizational system situated in "swampy" to-be-cleansed DC. He wrote, e-mailed, spoke to a person/"underling" and requested... Clearly; or not. To the point; or not. And received an answer; partial to total. Relevant to his question. Or not. Valid, or not. An answer which itself raised additional questions. Issues. Or not. Tax related as well as being beyond the constraints of IRS-related-"taxes. Mr. Mnuchin's response, borders on the poetic, with its cadence and lilt when read out loud: "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose!"
His alt-fact is more of An Ode to Policymaker Unaccountability-ANOPOMU. Letters and words joined together because they could BE! Shame on you Secy Mnuchin for disrespecting our abilities to understand. And shame on US if we choose to let him get away with this!
Congress can request copies of anyone's tax returns pursuant to 26 U.S. Code § 6103. The Secretary of the Treasury is legally obligated to provide the returns.
However, the Chief Counsel of the IRS and Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury is Michael Desmond, who formerly served as a tax advisor in the Trump Organization. Desmond is a Trump appointee. Okay, no surprises there.
But here's the kicker: the NY Times reported on 2/5/2019 that Trump asked Mitch McConnell to speed up Desmond's confirmation. The article goes on to say that Desmond was apparently a higher priority for Trump than nominating William Barr for Attorney General.
In my opinion, McConnell's continual enabling of Trump is even more obscene than Trump himself.
668
@andy123
Yes, sometimes Leader McConnell seems to have forgotten what he learned in law school or that he even went.
42
@andy123 From Mnuchin to McConnell and most Republicans in Congress plus Kelly Anne and Steven Miller and Mike Pence, all of these are extremely dangerous. Without them to cover for him, Trump couldn't get away with the destruction of the Constitution and our country. They are ALL obscenely dangerous because they could limit our president from his odious acts but they have chosen not to. I believe John Roberts may be our only salvation and I can't really count on him
69
Which makes you wonder... is the US senate compromised by Russia as well? Or are they just THAT afraid of losing their jobs? Or maybe both?
42
Let's see. Trump told voters time and time again that he would not benefit from his tax cuts. Shouldn't the public be able to see if he's told them the truth?
4
While I agree that the 1924 statute appears to create a clear Congressional right to obtain tax returns, I am not so sure that the 1924 statute addressed the separation of powers issue that flows from a president's tax returns.
This appears to be a case for the Roberts Court.
1
@Sequel
But if the law covers every tax filer, than Mr. Trump is no different. One of the arguments his defenders have used is that financial information about his life as a private citizen should be off-limits. That's trying to have it both ways.
If a law does not specifically apply to a president, why should we assume it's for everybody BUT him or her?
More important, this law covers the Treasury Sec.'s actions, not directly the president. In fact, the original law was designed to prevent the president from being able to prevent the secretary from complying.
2
@Grennan "But if the law covers every tax filer, than Mr. Trump is no different. "
Respectfully, you're wrong. Mr. Trump is not the same thing as the constitutional Executive. Unless you differentiate constitutional law from statutory law, you essentially have no constitution and thus rule of law at all. Trump would like that.
The purpose of the request matters too. It matters in law. Now maybe a good case can be made that in order to carry out legislative functions Congress needs to see the returns of the President before he was even a candidate. Make the case. But doing it for partisan purposes? What's incredible here is the NYT apparently has no concept that once you do this for Trump it can be done for any citizen without cause. For all citizens in fact.
4
@Paul
The word "shall" in the law precludes intent.
If you don't like the law that Congress can see anyone's tax return, please advocate to your Congressman and Senators to change the law. We are, after all, a nation of laws.
3
@Paul
That, in fact, was the purpose of the law--it CAN be done for any citizen. Strict privacy laws govern what the specified members of Congress can do with the info.
Nor does the law specify that a good reason (or any reason) be supplied, according to the 1927 decision re Daugherty, one of Mr. Menuchin's predecessors.
1
He seems to be preparing for a showdown in the courts.
And in about two to three years of appeal after appeal, he should get an answer.
1
Who do these bozos think they are???
The chief bozo doesn't know he works for us, and he thinks all his little beta bozos are there to protect him. We have had enough of this Fraud. Basta.
6
I hope I live long enough to see POTUS and his slimy minions squashed.
4
For or against on this issue?
It’s a question of whether you support Congress’ role in overseeing the president and his actions. And whether you believe the president should be subject to such oversight.
The movie The Favorite, gives a reason to ponder these questions. Not withstanding a different era and different technologies, the point of the Republic was indeed to reduce the possibility of overreach by the head of state.
And precisely why Congress has a job to do, namely to oversee the president and his actions. Privacy be damned.
3
I'm simply shocked at the "just move on" chorus here. There are three, count 'em three, co-equal branches of government, set in place to "check and balance" each other - to ensure appropriate behavior and to protect the republic from autocratic tendencies. The congress is attempting (on many fronts) to learn more about seemingly inappropriate and possibly criminal behavior in the executive branch. How can they "just move on?" That would be a dereliction of the oath of office that each and every congressperson has taken. Sadly, the GOP appears not to give a damn about said oaths, but at least the Democrats are trying to fulfill their constitutional duty.
6
At what point will our government say "no" to this presidential thug and his sycophants? It is a slap in the face of the entire country and its citizens that Trump blatantly defies our laws and the authority of our lawmakers. He and his ilk make it clear that they do not believe the laws (to which all past presidents have adhered) apply to them or the current administration and that they have no intentions of obeying them. The other question is how long this kind of dictatorial behavior can continue before there is an uprising of the people against all branches of government? The executive branch has all but declared themselves omnipotent, and the judiciary and legislative branches seem incapable of impressing upon the executive branch anything to the contrary. Donald Trump is unstable, uneducated, uninterested, and miserably unprepared for the position he now holds. Our congressmen, congresswomen, and justices need to make their presence and authority clear. This has been allowed to go on for far too long and while I understand the need for proceeding with caution, the citizens of this country are becoming wary of having a president whose focus is clearly on his own personal interests and defense against accusations rather than the interests of the nation. It is time for him to be removed from the oval office - along with his enabling children, and in-laws. And please, make sure he takes the KACs and SHSs with him. Their constant lies are insufferable.
5
Until Congress asserts it legal authority, this nonsense will continue.
5
I'm getting a little confused.
Would someone please count up the number of individuals who are obstructing justice besides #45.
McConnell, Mnuchin, Barr etc.
The is a team effort on behalf of ignoble and corrupt criminals.
Without Democracy I think we're literally looking at anarchy.
6
We the people asked for her emails, she replied that she deleted them. And we moved on.
You the Democrats ask for this taxes, he said no. Maybe move on?
Quid Pro Quo, ever heard of that?
4
@AutumnLeaf - Moved on????? Seriously. Republicans are still ranting about this. Never mind the recently deleted emails from Trump and company, the guy who is actually occupying the White House.
3
FYI, “She” wasn’t the POTUS. In case you haven’t yet realized it.
1
@AutumnLeaf, "Russia, if you're listening. . . ." was an exercise in moving on? Yeah, sure, that's why Russian operatives moved on to hacking the DNC.
Mother of Mercy, is this the end of Democracy?
4
@jacobi
Obviously, jacobi, you did not read volume II of the Mueller report, or the letter signed by over 500 former Federal prosecutors who say anyone else than POTUS (who is protected from an indictment by a memo from OLC) would be indicted for multiple instances of obstruction of justice.
All the false spin by Republicans will not change the FACTS.
Trump is a crook, who has no business being POTUS. He is unworthy of that position (or any position of public trust).
5
Headline says "Sorry, Steve Mnuchin. Congress Has a Right..." Don't apologize to Mnuchin when he's wrong and obstructing justice. He should apologize to us!
4
Seems simple to Me Impeach Barr and The Treasury Secretary.
Impeachment of Trump is to politically challenging now Impeach the clowns first.
Can they Impeach MCConnell
As the English found out during Cromwell the Lord Protector certain inalienable Rights exited under Magna Carta which proved useful.
Giving rid of the clown cost a lot of lives.
1
Oh, the irony that it's Republicans "destroying America".
3
Mnuchin is following exactly what dump wants him to do; Obviscate. Nothing more has to be made clear to him or dump. This is the worst administration ever to exist in the history of the US. As much as i apalude the Deem House, they also have to getting their plans to strengthen the ACA and jobs plan.
4
obfuscate
This whole circus is waaay better than Game of Thrones, or House of cards!
@Christopher - Albeit with a much less attractive cast.
2
Trump has his Wall- it is a high, high wall around his tax returns and his business accounts.This Wall is to keep Congress out-to be certain that his accounts are protected from the “ illegal aliens” in the House of Representatives.The more Trump protests, the more it becomes apparent that there is a lot he is hiding.Other presidents have released their tax returns and put their investments in blind trusts.The electorate needs to be certain that the president is always acting in their interests-that is a legitimate , legislative interest!
3
If you follow the logic here to the extreme, the refusal of Mnuchin and Trump to obey the law, lawbreakers everywhere in the country large and small are immune from arrest.
5
@Rob - Exactly. Every one of us can claim that law enforcement is biased against us.
2
This case concerns nothing less than whether there is the rule of law in America.
3
A Writ of Mandamus, one of the so-called “extraordinary” legal instruments, should be rightfully sought by Representative Neal immediately. Per the controlling federal statute, Mnuchin’s failure to promptly deliver the requested returns to Congress is in direct violation of that law and should also expose him to contempt of Congress proceedings, with all appropriate punishment. This blatant, groundless behavior cannot be tolerated by one of Trump’s obstructionist agents.
1
"Sorry, Steve Mnuchin." Sorry? Really? There's no crying in baseball and there is no apology to crooks!
It should be "You have the right to be silence...." and he SHALL be dragged off to jail in galvanized hand cuffs like every other law breaking perp, while time and money are wasted in courts. No apologies here. He's not only breaking the law, as most Republicans are doing with impunity these days, but he is proved contempt against the people and the people's representatives in Congress.
Yes, elections have consequences, and the last election was to rectify and repair the damage of the stolen election in 2016 with the assist of several enemy nations of America.
Munchkin is in no position to dictate how the House does it's business, nor does Barr or the trump. Yet they're all being allowed to get away with laughing off the people's will and the law.
The Dems have to stop being the pushovers they've been for years that has got us to where we're losing our country to an unaccountable vicious cult that will hold onto power at any cost including the destruction of America to keep it.
Trump's tax return serves as the ultimate road map that other wealthy tax dodgers use to evade taxes and responsibility to society. Congress should use it to draft new laws and penalties based on the findings in trump's tax return - an apprentice's guide and textbook to tax dodging for millionaires and billionaires.
Republican hacks claim the Dems are looking to embarrass the trump - as if ...!
4
The country, though very imperfect, was founded on democratic principles and the rule of law, not the philosophy of Chutzpah. That’s exactly where we are today: evoking the notion witch-hunting victimhood as shameless defense and excuse for illegal, nefarious behavior And, in case that fails, how about an unmerited military confrontation with Iran.
2
The corrupt trump presidency must be investigated. From his first day in office, and before, there are just too many questions about, Russian influence on the 2016 election
( already proven) trump's financial disclosures (taxes, emoluments clause, Oligarch money laundering), interference with law enforcement investigating his shady deals, firing the FBI head trying to stop an investigation into all the above. The President and his cabal are not above the law, and there will be a show down as this lawless group try to defy Congress with lies. Time for ALL CHECKS AND BALANCES to be brought forward. Outside the good faith of this country crumbles under the weight of deceit.
3
The oversight power of Congress is not subject to political spin. Follow the Constitution and respect the power of Congressional oversight. Trump has no special right to decide whether Congress is entitled to do its job. If it were Obama stonewalling the GOP would be frothing at the mouth over an "imperial presidency" and floating all manner of conspiracy theories. And if the Dems withheld docs they'd be right to complain.
Congressional elections matter just like presidential elections matter. I'm betting even this Supreme Court won't tolerate the subversion of separation of powers lest they themselves become ignored by a despot wannabe someday.
1
When does a media outlet support anyone's right to privacy? Never.
2
If things go to the Supreme Court, the Democrats in Congress will LOSE. There is no punishment for any of Trump's cronies to defy the law. They won't go to jail and they know it.
What difference does it make?
We either have a man who is open to the world or we don't. Since he is not, we can assume that something about his past will make him guilty or a crime. We already know he is and always has been a crook and a grifter. The proof is in his returns (bet he didn't pay any taxes at all).
The M's have let us down. McConnell goes belly up in the senate, shutting down any more mention of trump's obstruction, Mueller punted when he should have gone for the easy touchdown, and Munchkin thinks he is Congress. I guess if you are going to be part of an unlawfuil administration, the law doesn't carry much weight.
So....congress can just say "we want it to look at it ourselves", etc, etc - and the IRS does it?
So, congress has - or has not - reviewed ALL the tax returns of all other candidates over the years, right?
If yes, then great. If no - well, that's a problem.
But, in order to drain our Federal swamp of nonsense, I strongly suggest the democrats do nothing but continue this and related diversions, and consistently show the American people what you care about (this stuff) and what you do not (us).
2
@John
No, it is not a problem. We have never had such an obvious criminal in office. The only reasons he has not been impeached and convicted is because Republicans control the Senate (they shouldn't as their candidates receive far fewer votes overall than Democrats do, but the structure of the Senate is flawed) and Trump, with the protection of Republicans, has thwarted our laws and democracy to his shriveled heart's content.
2
@Max Deitenbeck Really?
And yet, no Mulluer indictment or charge, no IRS blowup, nothing?
I ask Adam Schiff, please, please, where is all the evidence you said (repeatedly) that have? Where? And why is it that its completely off the mass media radar? Why?
But again, I implore the Left -- please, please, please keep this up and please do not begin to develop a platform for 2020 other than we don't like Trump.
@John
Meetings between Trump campaign officials/Trump family members and Russians.
Unrecorded meeting with Putin.
Refusal to initiate his own investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections detailed in the Mueller Report.
Admitting over a hot mic that he sexually assaults women.
Campaign finance violations used to pay off a porn star.
Intent to quash the Mueller investigation (sorry, the fact that his own staff wouldn't do his bidding in that instance does not mean it is not obstruction of justice).
More than 10,000 documented lies (that number was reached before his second year in office was reached).
Asking law enforcement to violate people's civil rights:
"Now, we're getting them [criminals] out anyway, but we'd like to get them out a lot faster, and when you see these towns and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough, I said, please don't be too nice." https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/28/16059536/trump-cops-speech-gang-violence-long-island
The list goes on and on.
1
Does the public have a right to see all the millions of dollars of secret payments made to Congressional staffers with our tax dollars to settle sexual harassment claims?
2
Democrats will fight many battles, lose most of them but win a few. None of it matters because they will lose the 'war'. Trump is already re-elected for 2020.
Folks,
The real problem is that about 40% of Americans are willing to let Mr. Trump get away with unraveling our Constitutional Republic and disregarding the Rule of Law.
VOTE!
3
@MidtownATL
Believe me, I intend to. Just I did in 2016 I will be voting for Mr. Trump.
@GregP
I see that you live in NC (where I was born). If Mr. Trump wins NC again in 2020, it is break-even compared to 2016. If he loses NC, he is down by 15 electoral votes.
Furthermore, based on the 2018 statewide elections, Mr. Trump will have a very hard time winning PA (20), MI (16), and WI (10) again. Name one other state that voted Dem in 2016 that might flip to Trump in 2020.
Thank you for voting. Good luck with the outcome you desire, my friend.
2
@GregP, democracy is such a burden! Like, it imposes choices on us. It expects us to read, to choose policies, and then to actually VOTE. Let's just install autocrat Trump & Company and free ourselves from the intolerable burden o
The corrupt Treasury Secretary consulted with the corrupt AG no doubt to figure out how to continue protecting the corrupt president. Welcome to Trump's Banana Republic.
1
Is their anybody in Trumps cabinet who is not weird?
1
Gen. Washington’s and Ben Franklin’s storied American republic has been betrayed and possibly even mortally wounded by a corrupt cynical cabal within a political party that calls itself “Republican” — perhaps the ultimate example of false and misleading advertising.
Courts will decide. Be patient
When the returns are actually released sometime in the summer of 2020, demonstrating that bozo pays no personal income taxes and that bozo enterprises pays little to no corporate taxes, a few things will happen.
1. 'the base' will love it. many of them will get 'Wesley Snipes religion' and simply stop participating in the tax system.
2. democrats will lose it en masse.
3. bozo will make this the centerpiece of the final months leading up to the election and get re elected because of it.
4. 2. tax revenues will fall off a cliff (both individual and corporate) beginning in 2021.
Then, with 'victory' in hand and nothing left to lose he will do some fantastically stupid things all designed to goose his personal wealth to the level he always claimed but never before had achieved.
Eventually, in 2021, tax revenues will fall off a cliff. This combined with the spending binge of the last few years will put the US at the brink of financial failure (the way bozo has 'made' all of his wealth.
He will again float the idea of defaulting on US treasuries.
That's the moment when he will start a nuclear war in an attempt to distract people from the financial disaster that is actually happening. It will not end well and there will not be too many people left alive to lament the sadness of it all. Sad.
The Trump administration and the GOP have been defying the law and congress and getting away with it. Why change?
Congress should never allow the executive branch to determine what constitutes appropriate "legislative purpose". By stating it this way (and it was no accident), creates the precedent of the executive branch superseding the legislative.
This precedent cannot be allowed to take hold or we become an oligarchy/autocracy.
The subpoenas must be enforced. If people go to jail to do so, then that's the price of maintaining our democracy.
1
The House request for Trump's tax records seems to me more like snooping than any legitimate need. It seems to me that so much of the House requests for different records seem like plain snooping with no legitimate reason behind them.
Labeling everything as Oversight seems more like an implausible excuse to snoop. There must be limits when Congress makes an irrational request which I find these current batch of document requests to be, Also I have serious questions about the integrity of these chairmen. I remember some of these and their actions from past Congresses. Thus I find it difficult to trust the words of Naddler and Schiff to site just two of the House Chairmen. I am totally disgusted when I hear interviews with Swalwell whom I wouldn't trust as far as I can see him. He is one of the most vicious and unprincipled people in the House.
1
I enjoy reading the comments. They often reflect careful thought about issues but sometimes are more a Rorschach test of the commenter's politics. I find it useful to try to reverse roles periodically. For example, if Trump were named Clinton, would you say the same thing? If the current investigation of Trump were of Clinton and based on nothing, you might still rationalize seven Benghazi hearings. If the Russians had helped Clinton win, Clinton had taken that help, lied repeatedly, and then attempted to obstruct the investigation what would you say as a Republican? By the same token, Democrats should role reverse and ask themselves if the investigation was of a Clinton administration, would they think that some of the comments, investigative steps, etc. were over the top?
At base, we should all be talking about the same facts, applying logic, rather than ad hominem attacks and other logical fallacies. Sometimes a little role reversal helps.
2
Yes, if Clinton had done what Trump has done and he were just as big a crook, I would say exactly the same thing: "produce your tax returns." We are not like you. We want honestly and integrity. Republicans only want to win.
2
i'm no Trump supporter, but just b/c the law provides for it doesn't make it the right thing to do, politically or otherwise. the reasoning for the request thin, the intrusion great.
3
1) I am not a Republican.
2) I did not vote for Trump.
Let us be honest for the moment.
Does anyone think that if the committee gets Trump's tax information it will not leak to the press?
In fact if you are running a pool I would like 15 minutes after 5 PM the first day the committee meets with said returns for the first appearance in the press. I know lot's of folks figure that committee staff will start sending things out via cell phone from the meeting itself but I am holding out for some restraint :-)
In Trump's place I can see why he is fighting that.
On the other hand the way to get a head of selective leaking would be to release the full and complete returns publicly. Hum wonder why they have not tried that one..
Message from Republicans to Democrats: He got away with it. Sometimes good things happen to bad people.
The longer this drags on, the easier it will be for Fox to create a phony narrative that Democrats are persecuting the world's most honest man.
1
I wonder if Trump is pushing back just to push back. There is nothing to hide and he just wants to look like he's embattled by Congress. He wants to show his base he's fighting Democrats at every turn.
If his taxes do become public they'll show he's rich or if they don't, they'll probably show he evaded taxes and he'll spin it as being "smart."
We already know of so many conflicts of interest. Trump Hotel in DC, Ivanka's brand in China, projects in India, Mar-a-Lago, etc. His base doesn't care. They've grown too numerous for the public to be enraged about. Exposing any conflicts via his tax returns won't have any affect. He won't change his behavior and the public won't change its perception.
This is almost all positive for Trump.
2
If a side in this debate has no enforcement power, it be well be producing all the subpoenas it wants to and issuing all kind of contempt citations for all the good these are going to do.
What this debate has highlighted are the gross deficiencies of the US constitution and enabling laws. For the longest time, the legal framework has been adjusting to enabling an imperial presidency. Well, job well done!!
2
@ADRz Actually, Congress does have enforcement power, although it's somewhat indirect. It's called impeachment, and it doesn't apply to presidents only. Cabinet secretaries can be impeached for their actions as well.
3
Has no one been paying attention for the last three years? Donald Trump only does things that benefit Donald Trump. Therefore, one has to assume that there is some hidden agenda in his "hiding" his tax returns.
If I were to guess, I'd say he couldn't care less about whether or not the returns are released. But, as he has said incessantly for the last three years, "I can't release them; I'm under audit. As soon as the audit is over, I'll be happy to release them."
Read right there, between the lines...
Trump wants the audit to end. He wants to use the release of his tax returns as leverage to stop the audit. How is this not clear to literally everyone, not least of all the media that's supposed to be oh, so smart?
Trump wants to be out from under the audit. That's his end-game. End the audit and he'll release the tax returns.
I know I'm not a genius. How can I be the only one who apparently sees this?
3
@Elfego:
You're the only one who sees this because you're taking it on faith that The Audit is actually taking place.
I wouldn't believe Trump if he swore he was lying.
1
We now have two Cabinet.secretaries facing contempt of Congress charges. Can Congress “lock them up” for their contempt? If they are in custody can they attempt to perform their Cabinet duties? Can they be held until they relinquish the required information, or can the SCOTUS somehow free them without the information being supplied? Looks like government will come to a complete standstill for the next two years unless Trump is successfully impeached.
3
"The Treasury secretary cited no authority for this stonewalling, which is consistent with the Trump administration’s broad resistance to congressional oversight and the president’s push to quash any investigation into his finances."
That's because Congress HAS authority and Mr. Mnuchin has NONE to withhold those records.
8
When one side plays by the rules and the other doesn't, the advantage ALWAYS goes to the side that doesn't. The Republican party has known this for a long time, and McConnell is a master at it. The House Ways and Means chairman needs to cite Mnuchin for contempt, yesterday. Congress has a duty to provide oversight. We had two years of nothing, and voted Democrats back into the House majority for a reason. Get on it!
10
No Congress has no such right. This sets up a precedent for Congress being able to demand anyones tax returns. What is this a banana republic?
5
@Dave
You can argue that it is bad policy that Congress can view anyone's tax return. But that is the law. And, last I checked, we are a nation of laws. If you don't like this, advocate to your Congressman and Senators to change the law.
That said, Congress does have a Constitutional role to enforce the Emoluments Clause. Mr. Trump refused to separate himself from his personal business interests prior to taking the Oath of Office. He is arguably personally profiting from payments to his businesses by foreign governments. This creates, at the least, the appearance of a conflict of interest. Which is precisely why the Framers included the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution.
12
Are you saying that the law makers cannot investigate you or anyone else.
How do they make law if they don’t have the right to investigate its operation.
The issue isn’t do they have the right the issue is should it be done in public.
Most times it is likely private, a representative asks for investigation, everything is kept quieter.
Trump invites publicity, he has the right I would assume, to have his tax affair kept secret.
Unless crimes are committed then it becomes criminal, to knowledgeably keep illegal actions secret, which is why Cohen etc are in Jail.
5
@Dave
They do. It came about because of legislation passed in the 1920's related to the Teapot Dome Scandal over secret agreements ( kickbacks/ bribes) over awarding of oil rights which uncovered, landed the Secretary of the Interior in prison. The need to "follow the money" to figure out what had happened motivated Congress to pass legislation,leading to the Revenue Act of 1924, which provided the chairs of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees with the ability to demand tax returns from the IRS.
A Supreme Court ruling from the same era , the same era ruling confirmed the power of Congress to compel witnesses to testify before committees.
3
When Mnuchin transfers the entire federal reserve and budget to the Trump organization for safekeeping and management by JaVanka, have great comfort that McConnell will stay silent and Pelosi will...hold a press conference to say that impeachment is still off the table.
The Trump dictatorship has already begun.
As another commenter from Canada has said, maybe America should try authoritarianism. Who knows Americans might like it. Enjoy it. Cherish it. The way no one holds Trump into account certainly means democracy is not worth fighting for.
8
Queen Ivanka perish the thought.
God forbid it the eldest son.
I'm not sure if "Sorry..." is the appropriate response to someone who tries to flout the law. He has been sworn in to work for the people and to the uphold the constitution, but he doesn't.
4
It will be proof of Trump's violation of the emoluments clause.
Of course, he would have to be reminded of what that means - the Leader of the Free World knows as much about the constitution as a 9-year old.
8
You do injustice to 9 year olds. My seven year old grandson knows more about the Constitution than Trump because he has facts not opinions.
Far less.
@Mark F
Very true
No he doesn’t purely a fishing exhibition by a distraught democrat congress who lost the Mueller prosecution for collusion.
2
@Able,
The law also states they can look at your tax returns. Maybe they should.
1
In 1923, after the death of President Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge became President. The U.S. Congress had to ask permission from the President to release tax returns. They asked his permission and he reluctantly gave the tax returns in the wake of the Teapot Dome Scandal and the widespread corruption in the Harding Administration. In 1924, the U.S. Congress passed the law that eliminated the necessity to ask permission from the sitting president and have to go to the Secretary of the Treasury who orders the IRS Commissioner to give the return. This law is known as 26 U.S. Code § 6103 (f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) reads: "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 [of the Treasury] 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 (my capitialization) be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure. " The law is clear that the operative word is SHALL-a command and Trump's trying to run out the clock. It won't work to impede the investigation.
12
As far as I know, there is no law on the books that requires a presidential candidate or acting president to show his tax returns every year. Traditionally, they have but it was voluntary. IF Trump was cheating on his taxes the IRS would be all over him so we know that's not a problem. What's going on with NYT and everyone else is simply the fact that you all were so let down by the Mueller report and now the whole thing has turned into a cheap circus with democrats trying to hurt him in any way they can. He is constantly called a criminal and we hear non stop accusations of wrong doing. Some of the most powerful people on this Earth absolutely HATE the man. Driven by that hatred and with the entire resources of the justice department among others, they still have not found even one single criminal act they can indict him with. It's time you people stopped acting like spoiled children and let this administration take it's course. We have military actions going on right now as well as numerous much more pressing things that need to be addressed. Give it a rest for God's sake. Accept the fact that the report didn't turn out like you wanted it to and grow up
5
@Scott
There is a law on the books that allows the chairman of the HWAM committee to request a copy of ANYONES tax returns. You need to seek out more information than that provided by trump and his cabal. And growing up ? I hope my grandchildren grow up without having to experience a corrupt, foul mouthed pig occupying the Oval Office.
1
@Scott
We don’t really have any idea what was in the report or to what extent criminal wrongdoing was present. So rather than a fishing expedition it’s more like an Easter egg hunt so we can find some treasure to impeach the Dumb Bunny POTUS and weed out his enablers.
1
@Scott: What nonsense. The IRS has a limited budget for going after tax cheats. Those who can afford the right lawyers are too costly to prosecute.
Mnuchin, Trump, and their most foul ilk which staffs this administration do not care about the Times Editorial Board nor what they think. This week the insiders are shorting the market, reaping unimaginable rewards, and next week they may--or may not--announce a trade deal with China. That's life in the Trump criminal White House.
2
@Al
Mnuchin can't even use cursive in his signature on US currency as Treasurer - his name is printed. Sums up the grade-school mentality of the entire Trump White House.
2
Well isn't that nice. As Donald makes a fortune off of this "presidency" the public has a RIGHT to know where the many conflicts of interest lie. He is not above the law.
7
Why shouldn't Mnuchin refuse? He sees no penalty if he defies congress and if a penalty is threatened he can simply hold out till the last moment and then deliver some small part of what was subpoenaed. Rinse and repeat.
115
Lock them up
39
@James Moodie We have to get past their Secret Service protection to do this--armed and focused govt employees whose only task is to keep everyone away from them! Wish it were this easy.
6
@James Moodie Shouldn't there be a crime first before you lock them up? Last I checked nobody in the Trump administration was under investigation for any crime. Bob Mueller has finished his job and resigned.
2
Of two minds on this. It is clear that Congress has the authority to view these documents and all would be moot had Trump released the returns during the campaign as his predecessors had. But I'm not sure we want to live in a country where Congress has access to this information on political adversaries. From there, it's not hard to envision a situation where a future Congress wants to examine and reveal the tax returns of, let's say, the Editors of critical newspaper.
6
Well they already do have that right.
This is the issue.
Congress makes law.
Therefore if they wish to vote it through every step, they could have you hung drawn and quartered.
What you need to understand we either have a rule of law in the Enlightened sense or revert to pre biblical paganism.
Where they would just hold a village meeting and decide you are more trouble than your worth and sentence you to the honour of joining the gods.
1
@SJG,
Please review the origins of the law. The executive branch was trying to intimidate the legislative branch by immorally using its access to tax returns. This law simply makes the intimidation a two way street.
1
As this NYT editorial correctly notes, the law requires that the inquiries concern “...the administration of existing laws as well as proposed or possibly needed statutes.” I would like to know if the subpoena stipulated the existing or proposed statutes with which the Committee is concerned. If not, then the Trump administration's comments about this being a fishing expedition probably will ring true.
3
@Quiet Waiting,
Investigation must precede proper lawmaking. The Congress can’t know how to craft a law until it has the facts. Unlike the Trump Creep State that makes up whatever strikes its fancy on a given day.
1
We are now about to learn the extent of our first dictator's power. He has once again pushed well past the limits of the Executive office. But it appears that Trump has 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 Bob 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.
7
I have a very bad feeling about what Pompeo is up to today, something Truly dreadful is going on.
3
@James Moodie
Me too.
The real question to consider is, has Trump, with his appointments, with the Senate's approval of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh managed to pack the court into his pocket? The wild card when this lands of the desk of SCOTUS is Roberts. The Chief Justice is unpredictable, scarily so.
1
This bunch of Trump grifters have defied the law since they came to power. Congress just doesn't have the guts to do their job.
Our democracy is sick. Thanks Fox.
10
@KC,
It’s not just Fox. It’s the entire Creep State, including Limbaugh, Jones and Falwell.
The question of releasing or not releasing Trump's tax returns really doesn't seem to be the whole issue here. You can dance all around it - that other presidents have, what will they actually show, is it a partisan request, and on and on. But every time Trump and his cronies try to stop investigations, stop people from testifying, won't release pertinent information - I have to wonder...what is he trying so very hard to hide?
3
This seems sorta obvious to me...
He won't release his returns because holding out as long as possible serves as an unending distraction.
I'd wager the returns are more valuable to the president as a distraction unreleased and another potential much-ado-about-nothing revelation to make the Dem's look petty and confused if/when they finally are seen (assuming his return have passed annual IRS reviews in the past).
3
Well, here we are, finally, where this inevitably was going to go. We are at the threshold of a full-blown constitutional crisis.
Will this Supreme Court, constituted with the individuals that it is, do its job as it did during the Nixon episode? Or will the people have to carry on this fight in other ways as well?
5
@unreceivedogma We have one weaponized yet peaceful path: VOTE in 2020. Along with this, paying attention to the issues and developments as we voters hopefully make some educated sensible choices in 2020.
1
As usual the people Trump put in place put loyalty to Trump and protecting him ahead of the law, their real job, the American people and their oath of office. I am sure the long range plan is to stall until all this reaches the supreme Court where his people will again put loyalty ahead of the law. As a side note all this sets the stage for any future president to side step Congress.
4
Actually, no. Congress has no right to see Thump's tax records any more than an earlier one ever had to check out Eric Holder's or Hillary Clinton's tax returns to see if they collected bribe money from Marc Rich in early 2001.
A tax crime has to be backed up by lots of supporting evidence before they even get to ask.
5
As described in the editorial, the statute and the case law clearly indicate that Congress has the write to obtain a President’s tax return documents.
The editorial doesn’t discuss Congress’s powers when it comes to tax returns of other officials or private citizens. It’s funny you should mention Hillary Clinton. The Clintons released their returns for 2001 and apparently every other year up to 2016, as well as those years Bill Clinton was President. I guess she didn’t declare those “bribes” you somehow suppose she received.
1
@ The Observer,
Wrong. The law allow Congress to review the returns of any taxpayer. Unless of course you are alleging that Trump is not a taxpayer because he has avoided taxes for so long.
1
A criminal on the run will throw everything that he can lay his hands on in the path of the law chasing him. Trump is no different, and if he has not done crime what is he running from? The sad part is that besides Trump it is the Republicans in general and the Senate Majority Leader McConnell in particular, who are doing their best to distract the US Congress from investigating very serious Constitutional issues involved in Trump’s sordid behavior. The US Democratic Congress is fighting with one hand tied behind. Trump may or may not pay for his transgressions, but history will note McConnell’s Machiavellian and mean tactics for very short-term party gains. American people may be late in catching up to McConnell’s game but they are not stupid. And if they fall for McConnell’s tactics then a country deserves the leaders it gets and suffers the consequences. We will also stop wondering how otherwise sane people allow their own country to be controlled by dictators and criminals. American public is getting a first-hand experience.
1
@PK2NYT Really? So a person who defends himself is really an admission of guilt? This is the most oppressed and attacked President since Nixon. Nixon had it coming. NOT ONE illegal act has been uncovered on Trump even after 2 years of non-stop, no holds barred, investigation by a team of people who hate Trump. Now the next hope is to find something wrong with his tax returns even though there is not one iota of evidence that they should be suspect other than the fact that his name is Donald Trump and he beat Hillary Clinton.
2
Gee, do the many people indicted and found guilty in the Mueller prove (Manafort, Gates, Cohen and others) know nothing illegal happened?
This is arrogance that is above and beyond any norm since Nixon Administration. I have a dream; Mnuchin, hands ziptied, being marched into a waiting van to be taken to detention.
4
Trump's not an Emperor, though I have always maintained he believes himself to be one. Republicans had best figure out that we still live in a society based on governance by law. Who do all these corrupt people believe they are? Can it stop please? My God, no wonder people all over the world feel sorry for us. For this nation to have gone from the dignity and gravitas of President Obama to this sordid nightmare defies all comprehension!
3
@Eva Lockhart Excuse me? The law apparently only applies to Republicans. How about the perjured testimony by the Clintons, and the illegal sending of classified documents on a private, unsecured server? And too many more legal infractions to list in such a short space.
And what law has Trump broken? I've yet to hear of even ONE. That he's fighting to keep his tax returns private I hope he takes all the way to the Supreme Court.
Very hypocritical.
Rocky, how about the law that says you can’t obstruct justice? The Mueller report essentially says Trump can be charged with obstruction as soon as he leaves office based on the evidence, they just won’t indict a sitting president.
4
@Rocky--How is it hypocritical? Every President in modern history, Republicans and Dems have given over their tax returns! Furthermore, plenty of laws have been broken: 39 indictments thus far, 6 guilty pleas so far. Trump is surrounded by cheats, liars and crooks. He lies continually and it can be easily proven when he denies something and they have him on tape saying exactly the opposite the previous day. You are being conned by this man!
2
Not sure why this illegal behavior continues to be indulged. Hold them in contempt and lock them up.
And as for you, Mr. McConnell, though reader responses were not solicited you can forget about moving on. Trump and his band of criminal liars met with the Russians. Interacted with the Russians regarding our election. Why this didn't rise to the level of a crime still escapes me. Trump has been obstructing in plain sight all along. Obviously Mueller was too cowed and dumped it in Congress' lap.
They should keep investigating and investigating and investigating. Does the term Benghazi mean anything to you? Turnabout is fair play I think.
"Behind every great fortune lies a great forgotten crime."
- Honore de Balzac
"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities."
- Voltaire
3
Pure McCarthyism.
1
@Joe Herman Just because you say something does not mean it is true.
Isn't this how Capone was eventually caught, tried, and died of syphilis in prison? Trump tried to generate sympathy for Manafort by saying Manafort was treated more harshly than Capone. Trump has a real soft spot in his heart for tax-evaders. We the people have the right to know what the Donald has been doing with all his billions and whether he, like Capone and Manafort, has been scamming the American people of their fair share. Thank you NYT for printing a clear account of the law. Paying taxes, I was brought to believe, is patriotism. Cheating on them is unpatriotic. My grandfather was a conscientious objector in WWI and went to France as a medic. He taught us what patriotism meant and paid his taxes, even when they were a lot higher than they are now.
1
Whatever it takes to impeach and remove Trump. He has already destroyed the country, morally, ethically , economically and politically. Use whatever is legal to remove him from office.
Sorry Democrats that the Muller report does not smell like roses, and you don't like it.
Please stop it and let the country go back to business. There is an election next year and let the public make the judgement. Sorry, the media does not "elect" a president, the people who do.
4
Can we just put Barr, Mnuchin, and any other member of this administration who refuses to follow the law in jail until their boss leaves office. They are throwing the Constitution, the powers of Congress, and plain common sense into our collective face. (And I thought Nixon had such a horrible cast of henchmen!)
Am I the only one who suspects there's nothing fishy in T's tax returns and he's just dangling this string because there are enough kittens eager to bat at it?
So.. there's this unsubstantiated story floating around the Get Trump congressional caucus about a town somewhere in the midwest back during the depression where the townsfolk actually got a dead horse to stand up and pull the wagon because they all kept doggedly kicking it in 'round the clock shifts. The caucus uses this story when morale dips.
1
Impeach now. they have no intention of cooperating.
1
Will someone please have the courage to confront Mitch and Lindsay -- and send them a bill for what this affair has cost all of us taxpayers!
At least tell them to shut up!
1
"Mr. Mnuchin said he consulted with the Justice Department" Translated: Trump's lackey Mnuchin phoned another of his lackeys, Barr, and they had a good chuckle on how to stop this one.
2
What taxes? He told Hillary Clinton not paying his taxes "makes me smart."
1
Democrats, you need to move on. Yes you lost the election. And if you continue, you will guarantee to lose the next election.
76
@Mike K.
Democrats flipped the house in the midterms, though, in no small part due to concern over the seeming disregard this president and his administration hold for the rule of law. Oversight is the actual job of Congress, and a lot of us (maybe even-gasp-some non-democrats!) still consider this worthy of investigation.
141
@Mike K. except for the fact that Dems did not loose the election (See: 3 million votes for HRC which were over run by 80k votes in three states where the Electoral College took precedent, but we digress...). Perhaps if DJT didn't act so guilty and engage in such shady dealings with criminals (See: indictments and convictions).
68
@Mike K.
Why is it only the democrats who insist on keeping their congressional powers? Why are the republicans supine and lazy in the face of potential criminal acts and Russian interference? Mueller did not exonerate trump, Barr did before he read all the evidence.
Republicans need to step or lose the next election.
73
The purpose of that law was to be able to investigate a person with some level of just cause. There is no just cause here. It is simply political retribution for winning an election that the Democrats assumed was in the bag for them.
I think this will go to the Supreme Court. And I am at a loss to guess how it might turn out.
But I can say this: so many people I know are just sick of this nonsense. It is evident to every thinking person that doesn't base their lives solely on ideology that this is nothing but a drive to overturn an election, and if that can't be done to destroy the President personally.
My gut tells me that not only will Trump be re-elected in 2020, but it won't even be close. The idea that the average Democrat (other than the two coasts) wants open borders, the end of the electoral college system, abortion at natural birth, the Green New Deal, and Medicare for all is just bogus. It is only the radical left and much of the Dem party leadership who wants it.
3
Can you name a single Democrat who favors abortion/killing following live birth? I can’t.
1
The NYTs opinion is Congress should have access. Anyone who has a concern for civil liberties has concerns about opening this door. Does the NYT really want to allow Congress to go on fishing expeditions looking for unspecified crimes?
Regardless the Supreme court will decide and most likely against this unprecedented use of Congressional power.
5
This President has and continues to enrich himself via his office. A clear violation of the constitution. Why aren’t our conservative friends concerned about this? This behavior along justifies seeking Trumps returns even though as pointed out numerous times, the statute does not even require a specific reason. Just do it already. The treasury secretary should stay out of it. He has no authority to deny the request and neither goes the Justice Dept. It’s all about delay and distraction with this narcissist.
3
They know they are in the wrong on this.. but it is an excellent way to "run out the clock" ahead of the 2020 election cycle.
Delay, obstruct, obfuscate, lie and create non sequiturs to confuse and then let loose all his sock-puppet supporters to go out and stomp and preen for the president.
Trump may in fact think his hand picked cronies on the Supreme Court will uphold for him.. but precedent suggests otherwise.. and Chief Justice Roberts is very keen on preserving precedent.. and that makes him the deciding vote if the Supreme Court ever gets involved in this.
1
It's time for Moneybags Mnuchin and Trump to be held accountable. Democrat leadership should move forward strongly for remedies - our democracy depends on the rule of law.
4
If there was nothing to hide in those tax returns, why would this even be an issue???
1
@Maria Really? Then would you mind having your tax returns for the last 10 years published, in full, on the front page of your hometown newspaper as well as the NYT? Because if you don't like that idea, then I guess you are a tax cheat by your own reckoning.
1
This is worse than the birther controversy. A non-issue fishing expedition.
3
While we're at it, I might like to see Mnuchin's work expense writeoffs.
3
And the question is, as always, what is trump hiding?
2
I hope this stonewalling all falls apart around 9/15/2020, one case at a time, over 4 weeks.
1
The administration is clearly stonewalling. Such a tactic, in an underlying sense, says that is seeking to hid something. I smell corruption
"the committee “is considering legislative proposals and conducting oversight related to our Federal tax laws, including, but not limited to, the extent to which the I.R.S. audits and enforces the Federal tax laws against a President.”
Six years ago, Trump was not a President. Even if Trump did anything improper then, that would be up to law enforcement, not Congress.
2
Why "Sorry"? Don't apologize for pointing out that the law states Congress can see his tax returns.
2
A law suit filed by Senator Blumenthal over Trump's violation of the emoluments clause is moving forward. Discovery is the next step and Trump's tax returns could be handed over as part of discovery. Stay tuned.
3
But of course, Congress has a constitutional right to see the Tax Returns of the President. It's right there in the constitution. It's called EMOLUMENTS.
5
One has to wonder if the Treasury Secretary has ever seen the inside of a Federal Detention Facility. He just doesn’t seem like the kind of guy with the internal fortitude to endure a long stay.
5
@HamiltonAZ
The description of the one that Cohen went to didn't sound particularly harsh. Which is why - for Trump - I hope there is a state prosecution and comeuppance: state prisons are the truly scary places.
1
With each passing act of obstruction on the part of this administration and the GOP, the genius of Russia's strategy to take down our system from within becomes ever more clear. They could see our country's immune system was weakened after decades of growing partisan division and corruption and open to infection. All they needed was a delivery system for the virus. Enter DJT. Hopefully we still have a fighting chance, but the prognosis is still out.
3
Can't help but wonder if the administration is fighting this just for the sake of fighting, understanding that their base will squeel with glee at anything opposing a Democrat. When they are finally released it won't matter how many lies or crimes they expose because Trump will reject reality and with a couple more lies, "it was just another witch hunt."
1
A note to the GOP... you may think this is all fun but be very careful because you are undermining our democracy. What you fail to realize is that there is one person who is playing the long game and that person doesn't care about Republicans, Democrats etc. and that is Uncle Vlad.
See if Trump wins or loses, Uncle Vlad will have very little use for him. The GOP is teeing it up for uncle Vlad to unleash an amazing amount of information that will make the GOP look even worse than they already are...then chaos ensues. That's all Vlad wants is chaos, and the GOP is serving it up on a silver platter.
8
Give us the returns or rot in jail.
Is having a backbone that hard?
4
The very idea that this would be an issue...
4
It is inconceivable to me, how this President gets any work done with the slings and arrows coming at him constantly. But he not only gets it done....he's made the record books!! I'm a Dem who voted for Trump and I'm glad I did. No...I don't want him to give Congress his tax returns. Their intention is evil to the core, and the NYT should stay out of it. There is nothing in the Constitution that requires him to provide this....so he should not given the malicious plots to destroy him and his family. Trump and the members of his cabinet are the only "workers" in D.C. The Congress is a complete waste, spending valuable time on this nonsense.
3
@J. G. Smith
Yes, Republicans think that their time is much better spent on yet another investigation of Hillary Clinton, or on taking away the ban on pre-existing conditions for health insurance, etc.
3
@J. G. Smith
All that work? Surely you mean “executive time” (watching Fox) and golfing.
2
You've given Trump a nickname for Mnuchin when he eventually "resigns" under threat of being fired (as so many of this President's cabinet has)—Sorry Steve.
1
I am so flabbergasted at the number of stooges that choose to put their lives in legal jeopardy for this obviously criminal President. The mind boggles.
4
Trump and his sycophants are like toddlers, pushing, pushing, pushing to see how much they can get away with. Well, this is it. The law is the law, whether you are President of the United States or a street sweeper. That is the entire basis of our Republic. Congress needs to show them that this is it. You have gone too far.
2
"Editorial Board"-then I guess Congress has the right to ask for your tax returns and potentially publish them in the New York Times.
If the IRS suspected a crime, they would turn this over tho the proper authorities. But there has to be just evidence to do this- because that IS the law.
Like Trump or not- he is citizen and has the same protections in privacy as any other citizen.
Try fixing the VA Hosptials in the US, or the crumbling bridges- most Americans would like that....
We are Exhausted by Meuller-episode and Tax- episode.
If the NYT want to be the VOX Populi, then speak for what we really need, not this clown car nonsense.
4
@Millie Bea
1. Congress does, indeed, have the right to obtain the tax returns of the editors of this paper, as well as yours or mine. So do the courts. That’s the law, there are precedents, it’s a done deal.
2. Congress does not have the right to publish said returns in the NYT.
3. The fact that Trump’s tax returns are being withheld in a manner that would get you or I some quality time in a small room with a steel toilet, says that Trump and friends are enjoying protections and privacy above and beyond what is available to any other citizen.
So, we must ask ourselves: Is Trump above the law?
If he is, we do not live in a Democratic Republic and the rule of law is a farce. And none of us can depend on the protections of the law.
This is just one of the last gasps by democrats before they finally move on to "acceptance" that they will never take down this president but will have to actually beat him during an election.
Is that their real fear and impetus for all these efforts? Has it all been one big exercise in denial?
4
@AACNY
"acceptance"??
Of flat out criminal conduct by Trump, Barr, Mnuchin and their cronies ?
Not in a pig's eye.
November 3, 2020 is coming.
Has the GOP and their thugs ever cared about the Law?
1
Why doesn't a patriotic employee at the IRS just hack the tax returns and the NYT publish them?
2
@WGINLA
Any IRS employee who did that would spend a very long time in jail, that's why.
But the suit by Rep. Schiff for Trump's violation of the emoluments clauses is proceeding, and when they do discovery in that case, the tax returns will be front and center (as proof of what money Trump received and from whom) and there will be no way to prevent those tax returns from being turned over to Rep. Schiff.
The suit will be public record, so ... guess what else will be public record?
It sure leaves a lot to speculation. What could the Prez be afraid for us to see? It kindles wild fantasies and plots.. We know that some politicians break the law and that is why several state governors are now occupying state abodes 24/7/365. So what is to hide? We know he loves to brag, so if he is richer than Buffet wouldn't he tell us?
If you ask your wife where she was until 3AM, and she says "None of your damn business"...it fuels suspicion, speculations, fantasies.
2
And, if Trump had completely divested of his business interests or put everything into a blind trust (I understand it is difficult when you are a family-run organisation) as every other president had done, we would not be in this position. Even though doubtless he has legally questionably practices in his past business dealings. He chose this route and can suffer the consequences.
4
It's not hard to imagine that the Supreme Court will rule that Congress has a right to see the tax returns, and Trump STILL refuses.
Let's not forget that Trump hung a portrait of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office, and Jackson was famous for saying,
"John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it."
3
There are so many questions about Trump and some can be answered by understanding his finances. The American public via it Congressional representatives needs to know this information. If there is nothing there then there is nothing there - why is Trump so concerned?
2
As in many an investigation, the simple maxim of "follow the money" often leads to the fire if there's been a lot of smoke. It's not Constitutional principle Trump's fighting, rather, it's not unreasonable to assume that he's running scared of what disclosure would reveal. It is further not unreasonable to expect when you take on a public role, and certainly as POTUS that's about as public as any individual can get, that you must be held to a higher standard than an ordinary citizen.Therefore you must be more transparent to the people you're supposed to serve. He should have considered this before he tossed his hat into the ring to run. Now, to stonewall gives the very appearance of malfeasance, when there may not be any. If so, or if not, let the returns tell the objective story and we'll move on from there.
5
I can only hope that these citizens, consciously and knowingly defying and breaking established law, are ultimately held accountable and punished to the fullest extent of the law.
They perceive themselves as impervious, because they are at arms reach from a pardon. That will not always be so. Actions must have consequences.
"We the people...." are not pleased. Justice must prevail. May the "long arm of the law" have the last word.
1
The law is whatever the courts say it is. The courts have been packed by Trump and Mitch McConnell. So the law is whatever Trump and his minions say it is.
1
and the population sits in wonder as the Democrats get lost debating themselves out of a shoebox...
Hey either do oversight or not - oversight requires staking a position -despite the chance you may lose the next election.
6
We need to present voters with some presidential candidates who don't have a stink on them. Last time around the other candidate had that unfortunate "baggage" label. Let's learn from our mistakes and go with somebody who at least publicly insists on being forthright, and has no obvious links to corruption or incompetence. It seems so basic.
2
@Fern
Then Mayor Pete is your man!
The king, mad Donnie, has had no ‘checks and balances’ in his sorry life. Now he can’t, being the royalty he thinks he is, bear anybody questioning his latest edict.
1
“But our job is to do what is right, not what is easy.” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
GOP is guided by religion.
We are in the midst of EVANGELICAL RAPTURE.
(easily confused with Islamic Jihad extremists)
2
Two words:
Emoluments Clause
3
The President Of The United States is now the enemy of The People.
What times we live in.
6
What a shameful scam this country is, proclaiming itself as the example of democracy to the whole world. A democracy where everyone is subject to the law, NO ONE is above the law, no one except the ignorant grifter and crook sitting in the White House. What a shame. And republicans are as guilty as he is, the country is falling a part and they are helping him to do it. It is sickening.
6
Mnuchin, Barr and now McGann... see the pattern? Can we please just start the impeachment process now?!
4
Nixon: I am not a crook.
Trump: I am a crook, so what?
16
So if you are a government employee and a public servant--like Mnuchin (and Trump and Barr)--and your salary is paid with taxpayer dollars, but you blatantly lie and give false information to the public and to Congress, why aren't you held accountable--as in fired, held in contempt, or what else?
One of the most important ethics principles is truth-telling, and here are some ways that it is undermined. These are various forms of lying that largely involve lies of commission (presenting something as a fact that is not factual) or lies of omission (omitting relevant information.
Some examples include: misrepresentation, disinformation, misinformation, withholding information, distortion, slander, deception, fallacies, plagiarism.
People do make mistakes and lie sometimes, but when it is intentional, orchestrated, and ultimately does damage, then it must be recognized and stopped. This is the entire Trump White House, with Mr. Trump himself caught lying more than 10,000 times. Are Trump and his appointees compulsive liars, pathological liars, or both?
The trouble with lying is people who are lied to cannot make informed decisions and harm is likely to be done.
It is unethical and punishable for doctors and health professionals to lie to patients. Why is it acceptable and nonpunishable for President Trump and all the President's men to lie?
4
Why won’t Congress take ACTION!?!?! What are they waiting for? Impeach Barr. Impeach Trump. Arrest Mnuchin. They have the authority and the duty. Why won’t they DO anything. It boggles the mind.
4
I have observed Trump for 40 years when I first moved to NYC fascinated by his obnoxious, brash personality. In my opinion, he had, in buckets, the worst traits of New Yorkers and the male sex, with none of the good traits. And he was absolutely shameless. I moved to Florida, and damn if he didn’t buy in Palm Beach. I have this fascination, I must say, in his fearless audacity, willingness to show his ignorance, and just plain lie. His shenanigans have been well documented in the press for the last 40 years. Now if Congress wanted my tax returns, they can have them with my blessing. Frankly, I don’t see why they shouldn’t have anyone’s tax returns. I do believe Mr. Trump’s returns would reveal:
1) he’s not as rich as he pretends
2) his has lots of “creative” bookkeeping
3) he is in debt to some very questionable characters
Of course, if you keep cutting the budget of the IRS, chances are they will never find out.
If justice were served, it my opinion, our president would be in jail. The stock market might be doing great, but we will have to answer for dishonesty and lack of integrity one day, maybe us or our children. But it will happen.
1
@Birgit
Methinks that the stock market is on the same trajectory set by Pres. Obama.
1
I love Nancy Pelosi but she's wrong on impeachment. If America wants to keep calling itself "exceptional"(as a Canadian I gag when I hear this claim), then it needs to stay true to it's constitution or it can never call itself a functioning democracy again. Impeachment is an obligation, not to be fought based on politics. If they don't impeach this president then they have rendered the vaunted constitution null and void!
5
Sorry, Speaker Pelosi, but political strategy aside Democrats need to step up to their constitutional duties and start impeachment proceedings to shake loose Trump's taxes, the blocked subpoenas for his accounting records from Mazars, records from Deutsche bank, the unredacted Mueller report and now the blocked testimonies of Barr, Mueller and McGahn. Four hundred former prosecutors say there's already enough in the redacted Mueller report to prosecute Trump successfully. If the house fails to act, Trump can rightfully claim that it was due to lack of confidence that Trump actually committed any wrong doing. Start proceedings and Trump will scream that he's being persecuted. I prefer the former, but it all depends on where the evidence leads and how confident Democrats are that it will show Trump to have committed criminal acts. If so, proceed, let the evidence come out in public in his senate trial and let Republican senators give him a pass if they so choose and then explain that to voters.
2
Billionaires anonymous have decided on a simple strategy.
Just say no.
It seems our laws are porous enough to allow dedicated obstruction a get out of jail free card. Sadly, Republicans, the supposed "party of law and order" are quite willing to support this lawlessness.
As long as white males and the superrich get theirs, devil take the hindmost!
It is truly tragic that the truth has come to be seen as equal to lies, and therefore not worth the bother.
There is one court, however, that will have nothing to do with this. That is our decreasingly hospitable earth. It's about to get rid of its apex predator, since we don't seem to know any better.
2
What is the “legislative purpose” other than trying to do political damage to Trump?
4
Thanks for pointing out the obvious, but it's just as obvious that Trump and his acolytes have one goal and one goal only in this and other matters involving Congressional oversight: delay, delay, delay, and run out the clock. They know perfectly well that they haven't got a leg to stand on. All they want to do is slither around their swamp for another 17 months before they are forced to comply.
2
Why DT continues to hide his returns has probably everything to do with his ego, and not necessarily criminality on his part (of course we may never know unless the returns are handed over to Congress.) He is more likely not worth what he says he is (oh, so many examples of that we could choose from, hmm?), and that many investments, money borrowed, etc. will show ties to Russian oligarchs. Oh no, no "collusion" on the part of DT, just a money trail going back years on the Oriental Express.
2
As I recall, the GOP Congress took a look at various tax returns when they thought the Obama IRS was targeting conservative groups.
I also recall that when there were concerns about NSA etc. "spying" on US citizens after 911, the cry from the right was if you had nothing to hide, why be concerned.
3
Watching Trump and his admin interact with Congressional oversight is akin to the Gotti Family interact with the FBI... the difference is that Gotti didn't own the DOJ. Trump does...
This is past a Constitutional crisis....
7
Time for all Americans to participate in a tax revolt. Let's make certain we lay out our reasons clearly in a letter signed online by all American citizens who wish to participate.
1
Congress and the government at large ought to have long since made the exposure of income tax returns and the ending of outside income generating work or "dealing" for Presidents a law and not simply have assumed-as the NYTimes did in 2016, that all members of their political and income class acted in good faith. Always-thats how we got Bush2-allowing a 3rd party to run to destroy the system.
The Times threw the election to Trump, when some Democratic voters-angry at Hillary-decided to vote for the Communists or, just stay home. If you assume things will go your way, always-one day when they don't, you and yours will be left in the rain wondering what happened wrong.
Donald Trump was ready to move back to NYC by election day. Had the NYTimes prediction of Hillary wins, been correct, but, he was blindsided when he won-because so many Democrats didn't vote Democratic!
WE have inched along for 250 odd years without strictly adhered to laws, always working as if "all Gentleman know the rules". GOP members are the old South-not gentlemen. They hew to their own rules-too long NYTimes execs have been among them: HOwell Raines was a good ol boy & one of the ins.
Until COngress makes iron clad written laws that Presisddents must follow, at risk of instant imprisonment-men like Trump or others will act as they desire. Maybe Nero and Caracalla for President in 2024's GOP line?
When the people elect or appoint other to office, we do not cover them with immunity.
Mnuchin has a problem with the word "shall." He will have more of a problem with the word "guilty."
3
When will Trump whisperer Mnuchin be arrested for failure to comply with the law? Perhaps he will just take another taxpayer- paid plane trip so his wife can go shopping to avoid the press.
2
Congress needs to subpoena, charge, and arrest some miscreants ASAP, or they will only be more brazen in their violations of our laws. Every day they become more audacious. Trump's gang view the Democrats as a bunch of feckless girlymen and will walk all over them if the Dems don't show some mettle fast and bust some crooks.
1
The separation of Congress from its powers continues.
1
I am just sick of the cover ups and the flouting of the law from this administration who claims everything is a " witch hunt" but does nothing to offer any evidence that the president is not a crooked businessman. How can all of these enablers look themselves and their fellow Americans in the eye? The fact that they won't hand over the returns means there is something drastically wrong with how the president has done business. How can we have this level of corruption in the highest office of the land? Somebody DO something!
2
"I can't let you compare the tax returns given to the IRS to the financial statements Trump gave to Banks. You have no right to evidence that would make it beyond obvious that he committed a felony.
"If I can get away with gross misconduct at Goldman Sachs, then why shouldn't Trump get away with committing felonies. Besides, I have more money than you. So I'm better than you.
"Now why don't you low-class plebians go legislate something."
2
Trump is walking to be a tyrant and Mitch M is right behind him ; both are power hungry selfish morans; who are hurting themselves by hurting their country for few years of power.
Things always change and we will Trump behind bar and may be Mitch as well for opposing the constitution.
Mitch M is a poster child for flouting rules for selfish goal(e.g. M Garner).
trump tax lies (the base doesn't care about):
-Not as rich as he says he is (just one of the ten thousand lies)
-He has Russia ties (and lies)
-He paid little or no taxes (lies and cheats a-plenty)
-He donated little or nothing to charity (another lie a-la-trump's charitable organization, now shut down)
1
An FBI family member used to say that all politicians are bent (crooked) it was just a question of how bent. Trump's horde is bent and doesn't care that we all see it, right in plain sight.
284
@MA Rob
Or, finally a non politician is refusing to go along to get along.
4
But clearly don’t want to show HOW (tax returns, etc) they got their particular strain of bent.
4
While I have noted with some alarm the Editorial Board's slide into partisan politics, this may be the crowning glory of many bad positions.
There is no moral, constitutional or legal right to partisan fishing expeditions of personal tax returns on either side of the aisle.
The fact that the majority of the editorial board [I really hope it was not unanimous] signed onto this fishing trip is troubling.
84
@SteveRR Except that there is.
91
@SteveRR You are wrong. There is a constitutional MANDATE for Congress to both act as a check on the executive AND to legislate. That gives Congress the RIGHT and the MORAL IMPERATIVE to request the tax records of any citizen.
204
Donald Trump disagrees: on numerous occasions he said he would produce his tax returns, and to all of us. That he in fact wanted to.
As a moral matter, Trump has already conceded the point that his returns are a matter of legitimate public interest.
That he was lying about his intentions is irrelevant after he concedes that he would and should show us.
It’s hard not to be cynical when you claim there is no “moral right” to hold Trump to his own words.
149
Congress does not have the right to view a citizen’s tax returns, even a President’s, just because they want to go on a fishing trip for partisan political purposes. They cannot justify it under the rubric of legislative oversight.
The country just went through two years of investigations which showed no collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians. Now the Democrats seek to create another phony scandal to try and cripple the administration.
It is sad day when a political party cannot bring itself to accept legitimate election results.
83
@Citizen, What is sad is that people seem to believe that the report showed no collusion, when the report itself gives ample evidence of collusion. This is not about election results; it is about whether this nation will be a nation of laws or will allow its executive branch to flout laws as it sees fit.
359
@Citizen
It is a sad day when a political party cannot bring itself to accept legitimate election results. Witness Merrick Garland.
No collusion was found because collusion is not a legal term. An unbelievable amount of criminality was. Open your eyes.
408
@Citizen
You should read the statute.
The Chairman of Ways and Means can ask for it, and the secretary *shall* furnish it. That's it. No reason needed. Period.
In fact, this very area of the Internal Revenue Code exists because of governmental corruption. It's very intent was for the elected members of Congress to be able to evaluate information such as a cabinet secretary or president's tax returns.
The only stipulation is if the information can be linked to a single individual, it is to be reviewed in closed session only.
The democrats accepted the election results. The republicans need to also accept the midterm election results. All reasonable people also accept that if the President didn't have something to hide, Mr. Mnuchin would release the dang returns and then maybe we could move on.
481
Did Congress, specifically the chairman of the appropriations committee follow the law? The very same paragraph that says the congress gets the return also talks about the secrecy of the return. By publicizing the request and making it public, has the chairman thwarted the law and his attempt to get the record he "needs"?
It seems the Republicans are pushing this to a point of resistance that will head toward a clash between citizens and the military at some point. An executive branch that functions outside of the law AND is unchecked by the other branches of government puts this country in danger.
6
Part of the problem conceptually is that there is seldom any appreciable journalistic follow up to these ritualistic politician tax releases. In 2016 we got a glimpse of returns from many of the presidential aspirants, but the layman was largely left to his own interpretation of what they showed, or didn't. Just recently Mayor De Blasio released his 2017 return accompanied by this same media indifference, leaving, for instance, someone bothering to look and struck by the low tax preparation fee of $500 shown, among other things, to wonder alone. That Trump could expect anything but this customary level of indifference is a legitimate factor in assessing the reasonableness of his obdurateness and protestations of likely unfairness and bad faith.
another day and another way for Trump to violate the US Constitution.
last week it was Trump telling Mnuchin to violated the Constitutional authority of Congress and Mnuchin bent the knee.
today it is McGahn obliging Trump's directive to not comply with Congress's Constitutional authority for oversight over the Executive Branch of our democratic constitutional republic.
The Republican Party, as an institution, has become a danger to the rule of law and the integrity of our democratic constitutional republic
The problem isn't just Donald Trump.
It’s the Republican political apparatus making a conscious decision to bow and genuflect to a man who would be king in pursuit of fulfilling the demands of conservative ideology.
6
Trump is writing Joe Biden's campaign bumper sticker: "What's He Hiding?"
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@Val Landi
Trump is writing the Democratic Party's 2020 candidate for President campaign bumper sticker: "What's He Hiding?"
[there is fixed it for you]
1
Take down Mnuchin. If trump is willing to sacrifice his pawns and knights then so be it. Charge them with contempt and put them in jail until they comply. Take them all down, Barr, Mnuchin and whoever else is willing to act as a shield to trumps villany. After all, as in chess, to get to the king you must take down his army.
Giddyup. Let the pieces fall one by one.
19
Now McConnell has actually said Move Along, Nuthin' to See, Case Closed!
So the Senate talking head is the Fox talking head is the KellyAnne talking head. Why do we have a Senate?
6
Trump and his family are liars, cheaters and crooks, and we really don't need more proof of that by looking at his tax returns. Let this one go Democrats and start impeaching Trump and Barr today for obstruction and failure to uphold their Oaths of Office.
1
The Dems should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. Impeachment and tac returns.
The president is making Russia great again, right, Steve?
3