U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has formally refused to hand over six years worth of tax returns from President Trump over to the House Ways & Means Committee. Mnuchin claims Congress "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose" to see Trump's tax returns. There is a provision in the IRS Code which allows the Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to inspect anyone's tax return, including that of the President. However, Mnuchin is citing legal advice from the DoJ, but it appears no such opinion exists. In which case, Mnuchin is stalling.
Congress must now issue a subpoena for Trump's returns which Mnuchin will again ignore. He'll be cited for contempt of Congress which he will ignore. This leaves Congress with no choice, but to take the matter to court. Despite having the law on their side who can say what Bret Kavanaugh will do to protect Trump should this reach The Supreme Court.
The bottom line is that the Trump Administration is moving heaven and earth to prevent anyone from seeing his tax returns. Why? He must have something to hide. Perhaps he isn't a billionaire or perhaps he gets his money from Russian organized crime or perhaps worse. Whatever Trump is hiding and Mnuchin is aiding abetting isn't worth sacrificing the rule of law.
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