Trump to Fight Moves to Turn Over Tax Records to Congress

Former President Donald Trump will fight any attempt by the Treasury Department to turn over his tax returns to Congress. This is according to Trump’s lawyer, Ronald Fischetti. Also, this is in reaction to the move by the Justice Department directing the Treasury to provide the documents to a House panel.

RELATED: SCOTUS OKs Release of Trump’s Tax Returns

‘No Evidence of Wrongdoing’

Fischetti reacted to the Treasury department’s plans to turn over Trump’s tax records to Congress. “There is no evidence of any wrongdoing here and I object to the release of the returns not only on behalf of my client but on behalf of all future holders of the office of the president of the United States,” he said.

Earlier, the Treasury Department told a federal judge Friday it intended to comply with a House Ways and Means Committee request. The panel asked for Trump’s tax records.

In light of the Justice Department’s new opinion, the Treasury will comply but will give the camp of Trump enough time to raise objections. Once the House committee receives the records, it could release all or part of the tax records to the public.  

Trump Buys More Time For His Tax Records

As a result, a judge asked both parties to agree to a time frame for written arguments by Wednesday. The court can take months to decide before the Treasury can hand over the document to Congress.

In case the judge rules in favor of the Treasury, Trump can still appeal the decision. The Justice Department declined to comment.

The effort to block the release of Trump’s tax records began way back in 2019. The Justice Department ruling is just the latest chapter in Trump’s legal challenges.

The House Ways and Means Committee wants to view six years of Trump’s tax returns and audit records. The committee argued that they need the documents to learn how well the Internal Revenue Service audits the President. 

Biden Administration Gives House Panel Green Light

Previously under his administration, the Justice Department said that the House panel lacked a legitimate purpose for wanting to access documents. That all changed when President Joe Biden assumed office.

On Friday, Biden’s Justice Department said that the House panel had sufficient reasons to go after Trump’s records. It said the earlier legal memo didn’t give enough deference to the House committee. In particular, it said that the House tax panel, with its role to oversee the national tax system, has special access to tax information. 

However, Fischetti claimed it’s part of the hunt to pin something down to Trump. “What’s changed? This has been ongoing for years,” he said. As President, Trump didn’t exercise a tradition of both presidents and presidential candidates to voluntarily release tax records. He echoed Fischetti’s assertion that Democrats wanted them to find something to accuse him of. 

In return, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel said that even an attempt to embarrass the former President will not invalidate the committee’s request.

Watch the PBS NewsHour reporting that Trump tax returns must go to Congress, DOJ tells Treasury:

Do you support former President Trump’s bid to have his tax records examined by Congress? What will they get out of this order?

Let us know what you think about the years-long battle to release Trump’s records. Share your comments in the comments section below.