Liberals have been wringing their hands since the 2016 Presidential campaign over President Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns. Now, the Democrats in Congress want to use a 1924 law to force his hand, which they can also use against any American.
Some of this drama unfolded during a two-hour hearing on Capitol Hill last week, where Republican lawmakers grilled tax experts about whether the House tax-writing committee can simply demand access to Americans’ confidential financial documents.
You can almost hear the lament in the words of the director of the Tax History Project, Joe Thorndike. “I am concerned that it may be completely broken,” he said, over President Trump’s refusal. “Then we can’t really rely on a tradition to get the job done.” Note that this is “tradition,” not law.
It started with Jimmy Carter, who voluntarily shared his tax returns with the public in a move toward transparency after Richard Nixon’s many scandals. Since then, most presidents have followed suit. Though presidents are not required to do so, tradition, public demand, and fear of political ramifications usually provide ample motivation. Trump, impervious to normal pressures, has not released his returns. Consequently, liberals are apoplectic and willing to do anything to make him comply.
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