Trump asks Supreme Court to shield financial records from House Democrats

[mystery-ak]

Trump asks Supreme Court to shield financial records from House Democrats
By John Kruzel - 12/05/19 12:22 PM EST

President Trump has asked the Supreme Court to shield his financial records from the Democratic-led House Oversight and Reform Committee, in the latest case to bring questions over separation of powers to the justices.

The case marks the second time Trump has appealed to the high court to prevent the disclosure of financial documents and sets the stage for a potentially groundbreaking ruling on the extent of congressional oversight authority and presidential power.

Trump and his lawyers had a Thursday deadline to file their petition.


The Supreme Court last month agreed to temporarily halt the House committee’s subpoena for Trump’s financial records while the court considers whether to take up his appeal.

more
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/473181-trump-asks-supreme-court-to-shield-financial-records-from-house

[conservativevoter]

Aren't they going to allow Pelosi's tax records?  I'd like to know how someone who makes a mere $100,000 + salary can buy what she has!   

[Elderberry]

Trump asks justices to quash subpoena for financial records

SCOTUSblog by Amy Howe 12/5/2019

https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/12/trump-asks-justices-to-quash-subpoena-for-financial-records/

Trump’s petition characterizes the dispute as “a case of firsts.” Among other things, Trump tells the justices, his case is “the first time that Congress has subpoenaed personal records of a sitting President” and “the first time that Congress has issued a subpoena, under the guise of its legislative powers, to investigate the President for illegal conduct.”

Under the D.C. Circuit’s decision, Trump complains, Congress now has nearly free rein to seek the president’s financial records, as long as it can say it is considering legislation “that might require presidents to disclose that same information.” “Given the obvious temptation to investigate the personal affairs of political rivals,” Trump warns, “subpoenas concerning the private lives of presidents will become routine in times of divided government.”

“At its core,” Trump summarizes, his case is about “whether – and to what degree – Congress can exercise dominion and control over the Office of the President.” And the D.C. Circuit’s decision cannot stand, Trump continues, because it is wrong. As an initial matter, Trump reasons, the subpoena lacks the kind of “legitimate legislative purpose” that the Supreme Court has said is necessary. Instead, the committee was trying to uncover wrongdoing by Trump. And in any event, Trump adds, the court of appeals ruled that the only kind of legislation that the subpoena could have contemplated was legislation that would require presidents to disclose personal financial information. But such legislation, Trump asserts, would exceed the power that the Constitution gives Congress.

This petition may not even be Trump’s only filing at the Supreme Court today involving his financial records. Yesterday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, based in New York, upheld a House subpoena to Deutsche Bank for Trump’s financial records, and Trump’s lawyers have indicated that they could ask the justices to put that ruling on hold as early as today. Trump has also asked the justices to review a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that would require him to turn over tax records to Manhattan’s district attorney, who seeks them as part of a grand-jury investigation. The justices are scheduled to consider the latter petition at their private conference on December 13. It’s not clear whether they will consider today’s petition at the same conference, but Trump assured the justices that he is “ready to proceed on any schedule the Court deems appropriate should it grant” review. If the justices do grant review and hear argument during the current term, a decision would come by late June – in the middle of the 2020 presidential campaign.

More at link.