U.S. Treasury's Mnuchin rejects subpoena for Trump tax returns

[rooster59]

U.S. Treasury's Mnuchin rejects subpoena for Trump tax returns

By Makini Brice and David Morgan

 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testifies before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. May 15, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin defied a congressional subpoena seeking six years of President Donald Trump's tax returns on Friday, all but guaranteeing a federal court battle with Congress over the records.

 

In a widely expected move, Mnuchin rejected a demand for the documents from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, saying the panel lacks "a legitimate legislative purpose" for obtaining the tax records that Democrats view as critical to their efforts to investigate Trump and his presidency.

 

"We are unable to provide the requested information in response to the committee's subpoena," Mnuchin said in a letter to Neal, released ahead of a 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) deadline for delivering the documents.

 

Neal later issued a statement, saying he was "consulting with counsel on how best to enforce the subpoenas moving forward."

 

Hours earlier, the Democratic chairman had said he was inclined to turn to federal court to obtain Trump's tax returns, if the administration missed the deadline. "We will likely proceed to court as quickly as next week," Neal had told reporters.

 

Asked whether he would also pursue contempt charges against administration officials, Neal told reporters: "I don't see that right now as an option. I think that the better option for us is to proceed with a court case."

 

Trump's refusal to cooperate in numerous congressional probes of him, his family and his presidency is forcing Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, to look to the courts to enforce their oversight powers under the U.S. Constitution.

 

The likely decision to avoid contempt proceedings disappointed some Democrats on Neal's tax panel.

 

"This is a way for some congressmen to go south on the issue: leave it to the courts. It really absents us from our responsibilities," said Representative Bill Pascrell, who helped lead the push to obtain Trump's tax returns.

 

OTHER DEMOCRATS MOVE TOWARD CONTEMPT

 

Unlike Neal, other top Democrats faced with administration defiance over inquiries have moved toward contempt charges.

 

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler's panel voted last week to recommend that the House cite Attorney General William Barr with contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena for U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's unredacted Russia investigation report.

 

Trump's decision to assert executive privilege over Mueller-related material last week has stymied efforts by Democrats to get current and former members of the executive branch to testify, including Mueller himself, according to congressional aides.

 

Democrats had sought to have Mueller testify by May 23, but sources familiar with the matter said on Friday that Mueller was unlikely to appear before the committee.

 

Democrats could move forward with more contempt citations as early as next week. Nadler has threatened to hold former White House counsel Don McGahn in contempt, if he fails to show up for a hearing slated for Tuesday.

 

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is also planning "enforcement action" against the Justice Department over a separate Mueller-related subpoena.

 

Democratic leaders are considering bundling separate contempt citations into a single House of Representatives package to bring to a floor vote later this year.

 

On Wednesday, White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to Nadler, saying Congress has no right to conduct a "do-over" of Mueller's Russia probe, and that it would not participate in his committee's investigation.

 

But congressional pressure on Trump is only expected to intensify.

 

Schiff's committee meets on Monday to release closed-door testimony by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who is in prison. Cohen talked to the panel in March about issues including Trump's involvement in pursuing a Moscow tower project during the 2016 presidential election. Trump at the time publicly denied any links to Russia.

 

On Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings announced another probe into the Trump administration, targeting what Cummings called "secret ethics waivers" allowing political appointees to continue working on matters they worked on before entering government.

 

In a statement, Cummings said he had requested that the administration turn over copies of waivers for political appointees to let them conduct official business, despite potential conflicts of interest.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-18

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[Silurian]

I thought there was nothing to hide? So why the obfuscation?

 

Just another example of the myriad of WH deceptions, half-truths and lies.

[TopDeadSenter]

2 minutes ago, Silurian said:

I thought there was nothing to hide? So why the obfuscation?

Basic psychology in play here. When a child is stamping his feet and crying blue murder you do not give them what they want. Trump's tax returns have sweet fanny adams to do with his exemplary work as POTUS. End of story. Added plus with this, is the democrats extraordinarily childish behavior since he was elected has gotten them so het-up and distracted from the function they should be filling as opposition that they still have not realized there is an election next year. Double bonus.

[wwest5829]

14 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Basic psychology in play here. When a child is stamping his feet and crying blue murder you do not give them what they want. Trump's tax returns have sweet fanny adams to do with his exemplary work as POTUS. End of story. Added plus with this, is the democrats extraordinarily childish behavior since he was elected has gotten them so het-up and distracted from the function they should be filling as opposition that they still have not realized there is an election next year. Double bonus.

A child stamping his feet ... I did not see any reference here of The Donald's demand for wall funding ... oh, wait, that doesn't fit into your view. History is certainly at odds with your view of the Trump Administration, as are the courts in sentencing several to jail for breaking the law. But hey, you and the Trump ilk are entitled to your opinion not based on fact. My childish behavior is based on The Donald's words, policies and actions. Thus will be the judgment of history. As to the election, you may be right if the vast majority of citizens do not vote.

[mtls2005]

 

I'm sure mnuchin will clarify which years of trump's returns are still "under audit", and then trump will release those which are finished the audit, just as he promised. Right?

 

Nixon too fought off Congress's inquiry into his tax returns. 

 

How Nixon's tax trouble could influence quest for Trump's returns

 

Hoping to clear the air, Nixon agreed to publicly release his returns covering the years 1969 through 1972. “The confidentiality of my private finances is far less important to me than the confidence of the American people in the integrity of the president,” he said in December 1973.

 

In April 1974, JCT produced a 1,000-page report that found almost a dozen problems with Nixon’s returns. The agency said he owed $475,431 including interest for unpaid taxes over four years. It amounted to half of Nixon’s net worth.

 

The IRS simultaneously did its own audit of Nixon and came to a similar finding, determining he owed $432,787.

 

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/23/nixon-trump-tax-returns-1050587

 

 

[mtls2005]

40 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

When a child is stamping his feet and crying blue murder you do not give them what they want

 

mnuchin has given trump what he wants. So your "advice" is going unheeded.

 

 

When did a Congressional request for information become "stamping one's feet"? Oh, right, roundabout January 3, 2019.

 

Before that, when messrs Chaffetz, Gowdy et al were in power, it was different, right?

 

How soon they forget? You do understand the concept of videotape?

 

 

[riclag]

Mr. Trump said never

[Morch]

@riclag

 

Mr. Trump says a lot of things. What's your point?

[Chomper Higgot]

The legality of Mnuchin’s decision will be tested in court, historical precedent doesn’t offer him

much cause for hope.

 

But being mistaken is not normally a crime.

 

There is however another matter, how did Mnuchin come to this decision?

 

If he made this decision at the behest of the President then that is almost certainly a crime.

 

The courts will examine the legality of Mnuchin’s refusal.

 

Congress will very rightly examine how he came to make his decision.

[Longcut]

1 hour ago, Silurian said:

I thought there was nothing to hide? So why the obfuscation?

 

Just another example of the myriad of WH deceptions, half-truths and lies.

Why should the WH give them anything? He owes the Democrats nothing.

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, wwest5829 said:

A child stamping his feet ... I did not see any reference here of The Donald's demand for wall funding ... oh, wait, that doesn't fit into your view. History is certainly at odds with your view of the Trump Administration, as are the courts in sentencing several to jail for breaking the law. But hey, you and the Trump ilk are entitled to your opinion not based on fact. My childish behavior is based on The Donald's words, policies and actions. Thus will be the judgment of history. As to the election, you may be right if the vast majority of citizens do not vote.

 

Perhaps Hilary's tax returns and all the accounts of the Clinton Foundation for several years should be released as part of the probe into why the Russian Collusion probe started.

 

About as relevant.

 

The Democrats seem to think they can use the justice system to persecute political opponents. Wonder how loud they'll squeal when it's turned on some of them?

[alanrchase]

15 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Perhaps Hilary's tax returns and all the accounts of the Clinton Foundation for several years should be released as part of the probe into why the Russian Collusion probe started.

 

About as relevant.

 

The Democrats seem to think they can use the justice system to persecute political opponents. Wonder how loud they'll squeal when it's turned on some of them?

????. 

Hillary released her tax returns and the Clinton Foundation accounts are published every year.

[riclag]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Neal later issued a statement, saying he was "consulting with counsel on how best to enforce the subpoenas moving forward."

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, Longcut said:

Why should the WH give them anything? He owes the Democrats nothing.

How about the American people? does he also owe them nothing? 

"Analysts say most Americans want to see Trump's tax returns  "

https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/426646-analysts-says-most-americans-want-to-see-trumps-tax-returns

And since we are on the subject of "Owe" He might owe Congress nothing, but what does he owes the Russians? don't you want to know?

[Srikcir]

Assess Mnuchin a civil for of $50,000 per day for noncompliance.

If he doesn't keep up with payments, begin garnishing all his assets. On a contempt of congress, the House is both jury and judge.

[JHolmesJr]

54 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

????. 

Hillary released her tax returns and the Clinton Foundation accounts are published every year.

if you do everything Hillary does, you could be classified a criminal.

 

No using tax returns as political fodder.

 

Trump 2020 looking more and more likely after watching these clowns imploding.

Hate, revenge and ego have blinded them from working for the people...just desperate

to reclaim power.

[Longcut]

24 minutes ago, sirineou said:

How about the American people? does he also owe them nothing? 

"Analysts say most Americans want to see Trump's tax returns  "

https://thehill.com/hilltv/what-americas-thinking/426646-analysts-says-most-americans-want-to-see-trumps-tax-returns

And since we are on the subject of "Owe" He might owe Congress nothing, but what does he owes the Russians? don't you want to know?

I am all for it if all of Congress shows there's.

[sirineou]

23 minutes ago, Longcut said:

I am all for it if all of Congress shows there's.

Moving the goalpost does not help and is only a distraction from the real issue. 

"Pay no attention at the man behind the curtain" How about Dorothy, let's look at Dorothy.

 "A reading of the plain language of the tax code indicates that Congress does in fact have the legal authority to request and obtain tax information from any filer,"https://www.vox.com/2019/4/9/18296806/trump-tax-returns-congress-legal-experts.

If Congress requested the tax return of any Congressman or Senator, they would be required to provide them.

[riclag]

2 hours ago, sirineou said:

Moving the goalpost does not help and is only a distraction from the real issue. 

"Pay no attention at the man behind the curtain" How about Dorothy, let's look at Dorothy.

 "A reading of the plain language of the tax code indicates that Congress does in fact have the legal authority to request and obtain tax information from any filer,"https://www.vox.com/2019/4/9/18296806/trump-tax-returns-congress-legal-experts.

If Congress requested the tax return of any Congressman or Senator, they would be required to provide them.

 Your article "Can Congress force Trump to hand over his tax returns? I asked 11 legal experts.

Probably, but it’s complicated".

https://www.vox.com/2019/4/9/18296806/trump-tax-returns-congress-legal-experts.

 

It isn't all that plain, your article said probably. The office of the POTUS is held to a higher standard  such as , not subjected to conflict of interest laws,and there is no law saying he must ! When the dems control the WH and congress they can pass a law to see his and all of congress,you can be sure they will pass requirements for both! It's all politics ever since he came down the escalator in 2015.  As long as his lawyers say its political harassment ,which it is. Be a good idea for them to hold their breath 

 

 

[Sir Swagman]

I believe the legislation being invoked by Congress states ‘.....tax return shall be furnished....’ there is no reference to any qualification or reason.

This challenge to subpoenas was decided by the courts against the Obama administration when some (not all) documents demanded were not produced. 

But, hey, why let facts get in the way of belief?

[Basil B]

As a hedge fund manager one would expect to see him sitting on the fence hedge... hedging his bets...

[Tug]

All together now can we all say S h a l l there is no question it’s just Donald’s delaying tactic it’s what he does he’s done it for years t will come to a head in 2020 or with lock sooner

[heybruce]

6 hours ago, Longcut said:

Why should the WH give them anything? He owes the Democrats nothing.

Because it's the law.  Trump took an oath to the US Constitution, and owes it to the people to abide by this oath. 

[heybruce]

5 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Perhaps Hilary's tax returns and all the accounts of the Clinton Foundation for several years should be released as part of the probe into why the Russian Collusion probe started.

 

About as relevant.

 

The Democrats seem to think they can use the justice system to persecute political opponents. Wonder how loud they'll squeal when it's turned on some of them?

Hillary released her tax returns.  The finances of the Clinton Foundation were open.  The Clinton's have been subjected to more political investigations than anyone else in history.  So far nothing has come of them other than Bill lying about a BJ long ago.

 

Remember the days when Presidents got into trouble for blatant lies?

[heybruce]

5 hours ago, riclag said:

Nothing in the Big C that says the POTUS has to give into political harassment! They can't even give a coherent justification as to why they want it! The office isn't subject to conflict of interest laws,besides there is no law saying he has to . 

There is the Emoluments clause.

 

More important, it is Congress's constitutional duty to provide oversight of the President, including investigating conflicts of interest. 

 

There is definitely a law saying the IRS has to hand over any tax returns that are demanded by Congress.

[sirineou]

3 hours ago, riclag said:

 Your article "Can Congress force Trump to hand over his tax returns? I asked 11 legal experts.

Probably, but it’s complicated".

https://www.vox.com/2019/4/9/18296806/trump-tax-returns-congress-legal-experts.

 

It isn't all that plain, your article said probably. The office of the POTUS is held to a higher standard  such as , not subjected to conflict of interest laws,and there is no law saying he must ! When the dems control the WH and congress they can pass a law to see his and all of congress,you can be sure they will pass requirements for both! It's all politics ever since he came down the escalator in 2015.  As long as his lawyers say its political harassment ,which it is. Be a good idea for them to hold their breath 

 

 

Yes indeed, trump's financial and political behaviour have being exemplary , and there is no reason to look into his tax return, it is all politically motivated. 

Why are you carrying water for this crook? 

[riclag]

 

 

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

Yes indeed, trump's financial and political behaviour have being exemplary , and there is no reason to look into his tax return, it is all politically motivated. 

Why are you carrying water for this crook? 

I don't like politicians ! The door was wide open for a populist ,anti globalist agenda inspired  by failed  foreign and domestic policies of the last 50 years ! Who says he's a crook the dems! You got a better alternative .

 

Political behavior, of somebody dodging what he calls a attempted coup

[riclag]

2 hours ago, heybruce said:

There is the Emoluments clause.

 

More important, it is Congress's constitutional duty to provide oversight of the President, including investigating conflicts of interest. 

 

There is definitely a law saying the IRS has to hand over any tax returns that are demanded by Congress.

There is no law that says the IRS has to turn over a POTUS tax returns ! The office met the requirement of a financial discloser! There is no precedence for the office  to turn over  tax returns 

You have been told this before 

[heybruce]

24 minutes ago, riclag said:

There is no law that says the IRS has to turn over a POTUS tax returns ! The office met the requirement  a financial discloser!

Are we going to go through this again?  Do you hope that if you keep denying reality your denial will become real?

 

"(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.   http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26 section:6103 edition:prelim) OR (granuleid:USC-prelim-title26-section6103)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

 

 

I don't like politicians ! The door was wide open for a populist ,anti globalist agenda inspired  by failed  foreign and domestic policies of the last 50 years ! Who says he's a crook the dems! You got a better alternative .

 

Political behavior, of somebody dodging what he calls a attempted coup

Who said he is a crook? Where have you being hiding? under a rock?

My Mom had a saying "show me your friends and I will tell you who you are" , I don't think trump has any friends, but many of his associates are indicted, plea deals or in jail.  

If he did not have the protection of the presidence, he would be in jail also.

  Every time the name of a foreign country attempting to subvert our democracy comes up. it is Rusia, a Kleptocracy. 

Not Belgium, not Argentina, not even Mongolia. Always Russia.

Do you think it is coincidence? 

  He has filed eleven bankruptcies. Do you know what a  bankruptcy is ? It is a process where a company or an individual is allowed to stay in business while wiping away some of its debt. What do you call a person who does not pay its debt, while sitting on a gold plated toilet bowl?  What do you call a person who puts out of business a hard working, tradesman contractor,  by filing for chapter 11 , destroying business and families. then announces his bid for the presidency while riding on a gold plated escalator.

They say, a definition for politics "is the art of telling someone to go <deleted> themselves in such a way that you say thank you" . then trump is a master politician because he is <deleted> people like you all the time and you guys are saying "thank you" .