Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez avoided answering whether he would use President Trump’s tax returns if they were obtained illicitly.
Perez said Thursday the United States is “at war” through cyberspace with Russia as evidenced with their meddling during the 2016 presidential election. CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota then asked if Democrats would keep their commitment to not use ill-gotten opposition material, like Trump’s tax returns. Perez did not directly answer.
“What if you get something juicy like President Trump’s taxes. Should a Democratic candidate air those?” Camerota asked.
“That will be the product of a subpoena process,” Perez replied.
“Maybe. Maybe it will be leaked. What if it’s leaked to you? Are you saying the Democrats shouldn’t use that?” Camerota pressed.
“Well, again, we are entitled to that. If you look at the law that Chairman [Richard] Neal of the House Ways and Means Committee is using, it’s clear. It doesn’t say you are entitled to taxes except for the president of the United States,” Perez said.
[Read: Congressional Democrats demand Trump’s tax returns]
“I just mean the tactics. You’re sticking with this, even if you get juicy research of some kind about President Trump through ill-gotten tactics. Somehow you are sticking with this position,” Camerota followed up.
“Here’s what I’m sticking with: This isn’t about right versus left. This is right versus wrong. A foreign adversary, Russia. They hacked the DNC and others. They did so with the intent to interfere with our presidential election,” Perez said. “What we said in the letter is when we have such activity, if someone calls you and tells you, I’m going to rob a bank, your response should be, I’m going to call the authorities.”
