Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, rejected Democrats’ request for President Trump’s tax returns on Monday.
What We Know:
- Representative Richard E. Neal, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee sent a formal request to the IRS for six years of Trump’s business and personal tax filings on April 3, according to CBS News. He cited a law that grants him the authority to obtain any individual’s tax return.
- Mnuchin wrote a letter to Neal discussing his decision. In the letter, Mnuchin says Neal’s request for Trump’s tax returns, “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose.”
- The request was rejected because Mnuchin argues that honoring the demand would violate taxpayer privacy. Additionally, he said the Department of Justice plans to memorialize its advice in a published legal opinion.
- Neal responded in a statement on Monday afternoon to Mnuchin’s decision. “I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response,” said Neal.
- Typically presidential candidates release their tax returns, but Trump did not. He claimed he was under audit by the IRS. However, there are no laws that prevent taxpayers from releasing their tax returns while under audit.
Neal’s next move is unclear, but it is clear that a lengthy legal battle is on the way.
