Law Could Force Trump’s Tax Returns to Be Made Public
In theory, that is. As long as the GOP remains in control of the House, it will remain a theory:
A New Jersey congressman says a rarely invoked 1924 law could be used to examine President Donald Trump’s tax returns for possible conflicts of interest and Constitutional violations.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who serves on the Ways and Means Committee, has asked the committee’s chairman, Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, to order the Treasury Department to provide tax returns to the committee. Brady’s office did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
After privately examining returns — Pascrell is seeking 10 years’ worth — the committee could decide to share them with the full House, which would in effect make them public. The 1924 law gives congressional committees that set tax policy the power to examine tax returns. It was used in 1974 when Congress looked at President Richard Nixon’s returns, and in 2014 when the Ways and Means Committee released confidential tax information as part of its investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s handling of applications for nonprofit status.
What do you think the chances are that Republican Kevin Brady will be following up on Pascrell’s request? Given that the request is no doubt already in the trash can, I’m putting them between zero and zilch.
And so it will remain — as long as Republicans are in control.
[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]
We have a real problem in this country and it looks like it’s because of lawyers. First we’re told we can’t deny immigrants, any immigrants, entry into our country if it’s because of the country they are coming from. What? We should be able to stop any non citizen even if its’ because he’s wearing a blue shirt. It’s our country.
Now it seems the lawyers hooked up some convoluted nonsense that a persons private tax returns can be made public against his will and regardless of the financial and identity theft problems that he could incur. Who the hell comes up with this crap and why haven’t they been tarred and feathered for being stupid?
This country’s sinking faster than the Titanic.
Rev. Hoagie® (785e38) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:21 pmThis kind of thing is another way that you keep entrepreneurial businessmen out of politics.
Someone like Trump has multiple and complex business associations. His (no doubt many) partnership and LLC reports list MANY other people and the nature of their investments, private P&L, and financial positions of competitive entities.
These returns are non-public for a reason. Forcing someone to provide this kind of detailed information, then releasing it to the world, harms MANY people, not just Donald Trump. It is about as gross an invasion of privacy that you can do to a man like Trump, it would be breaking a contract made to all taxpayers, and it would tend to keep a whole class of people out of office.
I have a counter-proposal: all lawyers shall disclose all their clients for the prior 10 years, their fees and the subjects discussed before they can assume office. Bet you they’ll object.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:25 pmAfter all, can’t have conflicts of interest!
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:26 pma new jersey congressman says don’t worry honey if they raises our property taxes we stab a b
with our shivs
gtl baybee
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:27 pmFrankly, the committee should move to censure the member.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:29 pmRip, general half Moore,
narciso (d1f714) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:29 pmIt would be an abuse of the law. The exact same way as if Trump ordered the IRS to audit the Congressman.
nk (dbc370) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:32 pmYou mean like when schumer’s staffer leaked Michael steel’s credit report, when the IRS went after Christine, things of that nature.
narciso (d1f714) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:39 pmLet’s make Harry Reid’s tax returns public. For each of the past 20 years.
Cruz Supporter (102c9a) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:46 pmGreetings:
Me, I’m pretty sure Ms. Lois Lerner would be willing to come out of retirement to help out.
11B40 (6abb5c) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:48 pmDid they force Charlie Rangel off ways and means, who forgot to declare a million dollars in taxable Dominican real estate?
narciso (d1f714) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:49 pmAn American citizen’s tax return is between said citizen and the IRS. It no one else’s business. If the taxpayer has run afoul of the tax laws, the offender will be prosecuted. That goes for any American taxpayer.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:54 pmJust more bullshi+.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/11/2017 @ 6:56 pmHow about that?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4181272/Trump-dossier-spy-smeared-Cambridge-rival-32-years-ago.html
narciso (d1f714) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:13 pmBut the congressman brings up a valid point about conflicts of interest.
Again, I suggest that all lawyers entering Congress must release the last 10 years of their client records — lets have no whining about laws on confidentiality; this IS IMPORTANT!!11! — inclidiong all fees and the subjects discussed. Clearly if they were advising clients on the law, they could have a vested interest in changing those laws!
No more hiding behind an antiquated view of privacy and confidentiality. This is the public’s business!!!
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:29 pmNow, you might say that this would keep lawyers out of Congress, but sadly that may be the price we have to pay.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:30 pmHow about an investigation into sitting bull and her bank deals?
mg (31009b) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:31 pmFBI now investigating non-issue… http://heatst.com/politics/fbi-is-now-helping-with-the-investigation-into-the-identities-of-the-berkeley-rioters/
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:34 pmNew Jersey sleazeballs are not people to side with.
nk (dbc370) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:36 pmJeez, Patterico, you reported this with a hint of glee.
Let’s see your tax return. You’re a pubic figure, we want to know how much the Dems are paying you to stab conservatives in the guts.
Fred Z (05d938) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:38 pmMamas don’t let your babies grow up to be sales clerks..
And if you hold stock in any shopping malls it’s prolly time to evacuate.
http://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-disappearing-across-the-us-2017-2/#the-limited-1
elissa (ad3907) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:41 pmI’m for open government at federal, state and local levels and not just by elected officials. I’m talking all branches of government: legislative, judicial and executive. Government can be hijacked for private gain at all levels of the our bureaucratic state. Of the multitude of government employees, the President of the United States is probably the last last individual whose return I am interested in because he is such a public figure and the focus of extraordinary scrutiny. We have the entire Fourth Estate keeping tabs on him, lesser employees, not so much.
It is the lesser employees I’m interested in, though I’d like the see the return of the President, as well. To be clear, I want to see the tax returns of local garbage collector on up. I’d like to have the tax returns of all government employees become a compulsory part of their employment contract and I’d like it to be a part of the public record and published online. If you want to work for government, it should be part of the package you sign on to.
If you’ve ever worked around government, as I have, you understand just how staggeringly corrupt it can be. Making the tax returns of public employees a part of the public record is a critically important part of the task of cleaning up public sector corruption.
ThOR (c9324e) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:54 pm#18 Colonel,
The riots in Berkeley were a week and a half ago.
Cruz Supporter (102c9a) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:55 pmThat’s old news.
Move on, chap.
What the Colonel said @12.
The idea that we’d be better off if only short form 1040 filers, lets call them public employees and progressive eunuchs operating as “community organizers”, occupied elected positions is nothing but residual public school indoctrination. Virtue is not incompatible with financial success. In fact, most successful people have many virtues. And many successful politicians are little more than a cross between snakes and chameleons, peddlers of greed and envy, driven by self interest. And their tax returns will suggest none of this since they’ve wrapped the loot in plastic bags and stored in the freezer compartment of the office refrigerator.
BobStewartatHome (c24491) — 2/11/2017 @ 7:58 pmNormally, I agree with you. But never underestimate Trump’s ability to do something so outrageous that it forces the Republicans’ hand.
Joe (dd78de) — 2/11/2017 @ 8:06 pmThor, the corruption that your public employees engage in will not show up on their tax returns. They typically use public resources, or coerce private parties to provide these resources, to enhance their private property. They will benefit when they sell it, or maybe just from the use of it. But there is no line in the 1040 that would illuminate this activity.
What they do is already illegal, but it is allowed with a wink and nod in return for other non-monetary political favors by those who have a knowledge of it.
BobStewartatHome (c24491) — 2/11/2017 @ 8:06 pmTax returns of the biggest taxpayers were public for a number of years circa in the early 1920s., so this is possible.
Sammy Finkelman (a90e7e) — 2/11/2017 @ 8:20 pm#18:
Why is this a non-issue:
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/11/2017 @ 8:45 pmhttp://www.weaselzippers.us/324552-how-obama-is-scheming-to-sabotage-trumps-presidency/
narciso (3f8409) — 2/11/2017 @ 8:54 pm18 was a bit of sarcasm. The rioting was no big deal, at least that was the way it was treated on these pages, with the exception of Dana.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/11/2017 @ 9:01 pmJust like the fray trek Being sponsored by two of the more antiwoman organization, cair and splc or the part of the Palestinian solidarity and Arab American networks in the airport siege.
narciso (3f8409) — 2/11/2017 @ 9:06 pmYes, in March 2010.
What’s your point?
Dave (711345) — 2/11/2017 @ 10:09 pmHow many pages do you think Trumps returns are? I’m assuming they want corporate tax returns also. I’d expect each year of tax returns would have several submissions and restatements. For ten years worth of returns, I’d expect, maybe 7,000 pages at the low end. Maybe 50,000 on the high end.
GE filed a 57,000 page tax return for a single year in 2011. I don’t expect Trump’s tax returns to be that large, but that gives us an upper boundary.
Xmas (3a75bb) — 2/11/2017 @ 10:18 pmOh, look! Some hopeful speculation that could possibly portend to be negative for Trump!
Patrick’s there with a post to let us all know!
Shocker.
School Marm (5999c1) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:34 amIt would be an abuse of the law. The exact same way as if Trump ordered the IRS to audit the Congressman.
yes yes but this seems obvious to me
it says a lot about nevertrump’s flexible principles that they would eagerly seize on this law for to try and find dirt on their political enemies
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 4:28 amOh, look! School Marm is here with a post to let us know that her undies shrank in the wash.
nk (dbc370) — 2/12/2017 @ 4:31 amSoros and his harem of dolts and self serving conservative minions will not be able to physically get through Trump voters to kill this nation.
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 4:35 amWe will stop you suckers at the gate.
The only chance Trump voters have in this rigged judicial system is taking the fight to the streets. Lawyers will be first on the list for tar & feathers. The progressive twits will see this and run home to mommies basement.
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 4:45 amwait but what about pooty poot?
National Soros Radio reports food stamp thinks the norky dorks are the #1 priority failmerica faces in the whole whirl:
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 5:29 amwtf did food stamp ever do about north korea?
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 5:30 amhttp://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2017/02/troops_await_deployment_orders_from_ninth_circuit.html
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 5:41 amPascrell, who is in his 11th term in the House, does not regularly release his own tax returns.
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 5:41 amHe went after the reporter that reported the sanctions
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 5:42 amThe purpose of the request isn’t to produce the tax returns it is to generate the perception that there is much to conceal.
crazy (d3b449) — 2/12/2017 @ 6:48 amA Scottish jurist who lent his name to a custom coach which ultimately became the name of a top-class car style. He knew his style and his lawyers.
Rev. Hoagie® (785e38) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:12 amSounds like something from trollope
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:19 amI’d love to see a mandatory annual public review of lawyer’s “escrow accounts”. I never seem to see any lawyers bring hauled off for misappropriation or comingling yet I know human nature and there is no way that does not happen. Often.
Rev. Hoagie® (785e38) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:19 amA Trollope, narciso? I’ll have you know Lord Brougham was a gay cavalier covered in velvet and ruffles and riddled with gout and syphilis.
Rev. Hoagie® (785e38) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:24 amAnthony Trollope’s a postmaster who wrote a remarkable relevant seriesof novels in the 19th century
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:26 amAnother article to hide a far more serious occurrence:
“Three brothers who managed office information technology for members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and other lawmakers were abruptly relieved of their duties on suspicion that they accessed congressional computers without permission.
Brothers Abid, Imran, and Jamal Awan were barred from computer networks at the House of Representatives Thursday, The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group has learned.”
http://formerspook.blogspot.com/
Davod (f3a711) — 2/12/2017 @ 7:40 am#49 Davod, you need to stop worrying about trivial matters such as unauthorized access to Congressional computers and start worrying about the fact that Kellyanne Conway was on a cable tv show talking about how cute Ivanka Trump’s line of blouses is! (LOL)
Cruz Supporter (102c9a) — 2/12/2017 @ 8:36 amI like this Stephen Miller, like the way he pushes back and is clear about why he’s doing it.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/12/2017 @ 9:09 amI’m sure Brady will find Pascrell’s Application for a Fishing License as unpersuasive as I do. It is rather amusing the Dems picked a complete nonentity in the last twilight of a totally undistinguished career to emit this flatulence. The sclerotic Dem geriarchy really isn’t displaying any talent at all.
Rick Ballard (5e8a41) — 2/12/2017 @ 9:43 amAt 16 Miller wrote a letter to the editor of The Santa Monica Evening Outlook, that read “Osama Bin Laden would feel very welcome at Santa Monica High School.”
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 10:12 amThat’s understandable, mg. The Left indoctrinates ’em early in LA county.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/12/2017 @ 10:28 amI never seem to see any lawyers bring hauled off for misappropriation or comingling yet I know human nature and there is no way that does not happen. Often.
I know of one who did that due to a wee cocaine problem. They let him have his license back after he completed his probation, and stayed sober for 5 years.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/12/2017 @ 10:40 amI never seem to see any lawyers bring hauled off for misappropriation or comingling yet I know human nature and there is no way that does not happen. Often.
I’m not surprised if all you know are Philadelphia lawyers, but in Illinois it means prison and disbarment for life. One lawyer I know of personally, because I took over the case of a client he had sold out, had to run off to Argentina.
nk (dbc370) — 2/12/2017 @ 10:50 am1 in a million
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 11:40 amI was expecting a link to the python sketch, rick
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 11:45 amDamn the water carrying is reaching epic hilarity.
If Obama was hiding his tax returns, the GOP would be losing their freaking minds. But no, this is a deep and pernicious an invasion as could be imagined because poor Trump doesn’t want to disclose his Russian deals or whatever.
Might as well demand lawyers breach confidentiality if you want presidents to reveal their returns!
You guys act like Trump really hid something bad.
Dustin (ba94b2) — 2/12/2017 @ 12:54 pmLet’s see yours, Dustin.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/12/2017 @ 12:59 pmMr. Trump is the best one cause he’s cutting the regulations and appointing the best judges and also he’s doing good on the international relations.
So far I’d say he gets five stars.
I’ve never given any president that many stars my whole life!
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:00 pmTax returns are between the taxpayer and the IRS. If tax fraud is committed, there should be prosecution. Otherwise…
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:03 pmonce the filthy congresstrash use this law for to try and dig up dirt on President Trump there’s literally nothing to stop them from using it dig up dirt on anyone
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:04 pmi bet a sleazy unethical coward like John McCain would love that
but honest goodhearted Americans?
this is not who we are
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:07 pmSeems a fairly simple and straightforward concept. Shouldn’t matter who the politician is. Or celebrity-status, or WTF-ever.
This News Of The World-style level of interest is obnoxiously silly.
Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:08 pmThe only time Obama made any money was the two memoirs Years ghosted for him. The property that Syrian slumlord arranged from him was not a gift.
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:16 pmThe people willing to buy the obamas new books only read ebonics and rap lyrics. I suggest starting with a paperback.
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 1:51 pmIt’s Miller Time
mg (31009b) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:12 pmWhat would happen if Trump release his entire return:
1. All of his partners would sue for releasing privileged information without their permission.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:18 pm2. His business would be bankrupt in a fortnight.
3. Despite their severing of ties, all his business partners would have their lives turned upside down by mobs and politicians seeking to ruin them for working with Trump (don’t believe me? Look at what happened to Prop 8 donors).
that won’t happen Mr. M
President Trump has too much integrity to go down that road
happyfeet (28a91b) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:20 pmIf there was actually something worth revealing it would have leaked by now. Note there are plenty of leaks about “troubling” possibilities by sources claiming to know things. Why hold back the good stuff? Meanwhile, nobody cares about the politician who makes hundreds of millions of dollars over being politically connected.
crazy (d3b449) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:56 pmNo it was a coffee table book never read in the upper was inside and .alibi
Re ethical reforms, you notice they never apply to the guilty take John cirzine or George sores, only the ethical public officials are targeted.
narciso (d1f714) — 2/12/2017 @ 3:56 pm