It appears that Donald Trump will probably have to release his tax returns at some point. The question is will that be before he leaves office, either via impeachment or the people’s votes? Although he has consistently been defeated in court, POTUS has one more trick up his sleeve.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s panel of 11 judges ruled that Congress can, indeed, get Trump’s tax records for eight years. The court said that the separation-of-powers conflict holds. Next, Trump has to go to the Supreme Court.
Judge David Tatel wrote and was joined by Judge Patricia Millett wrote, according to The Washington Post:
‘Contrary to the President’s arguments, the Committee possesses authority under both the House Rules and the Constitution to issue the subpoena, and Mazars must comply.’
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against Trump:
‘[L]et stand an earlier ruling against the president that affirmed Congress’s investigative authority on a day when the House was holding its first public impeachment inquiry hearing. Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said in response to Wednesday’s decision that the president’s legal team “will be seeking review at the Supreme Court.”’
Judges Neomi Rao, Gregory Katsas and Karen LeCraft Henderson would have gone along with the rehearing. Both Rao and Katsas were appointed by Trump. Katsas wrote the dissenting opinion:
‘This case presents exceptionally important questions regarding the separation of powers. Threat to presidential autonomy and independence [would] open season on the President’s personal records.’
Rao felt the committee had “exceeded its authority” with a legislative subpoena “investigating whether the President broke the law:”
“By upholding this subpoena, the panel opinion has shifted the balance of power between Congress and the President and allowed a congressional committee to circumvent the careful process of impeachment.’
Sekulow released a statement citing the “well reasoned dissent” in Trump electing to go the Supreme Court.
Trump’s attorneys plan to ask the Supreme Court Thursday to block another subpoena for his tax records originating from the Manhattan district attorney. The New York appeals court ruled against the president earlier this month:
‘[The court] refused to block the subpoena to his accounting firm, Mazars USA.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
