Opinion: Mnuchin flouts the law to help Trump
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. By E.J. Dionne Jr. E.J. Dionne Jr. Columnist covering national politics Email Bio Follow Columnist April 11 at 8:23 AM Surprise, surprise. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin waited until late Wednesday to announce that he would not meet the House Ways and Means Committee’s deadline to turn over six years of President Trump’s tax returns.
Mnuchin was all about Trump’s rights. “The Committee’s request,” Mnuchin said, “raises serious issues concerning the constitutional scope of congressional investigative authority, the legitimacy of the asserted legislative purpose, and the constitutional rights of American citizens.” This from an administration that cares very little about rights for a lot of other people.
Mnuchin revealed in testimony this week that Treasury attorneys had consulted with White House attorneys about the possible release of the returns. Mnuchin described the discussions between the White House and Treasury officials as purely “informational,” though he wouldn’t provide more details. White House officials similarly would not offer more information.
That phrase “shall furnish” is really important. It doesn’t leave any wiggle room. And Neal’s request was carefully framed and comes from a congressional committee that has a long-recognized legal right to individual returns for public policy and accountability purposes.
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