Democrats are eager to peek into President Trump’s tax returns with their newfound power in the House.
Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat in the Ways and Means Committee who is poised now to become chairman, has said that he intends to formally request the president’s tax returns. News outlets projected Tuesday evening that Democrats would wrest control of the lower chamber from the GOP.
While it’s clear that Neal would have the power to make that request, it’s unclear whether the Trump administration would fulfill it. Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said he would review such a request with the department’s legal counsel, paving the way for a potential court fight. For his part, Trump told reporters this week, “I can do whatever I want” with regards to tax return requests.
Neal getting the gavel sets up a potential dilemma for Democrats: While they’ve campaigned in part in making Trump’s tax returns public, it will be difficult — if even possible — to do so.
Another relevant panel that might also seek Trump’s financial documents is the Oversight Committee.
CNN reported Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., who will take over the panel, may go for Trump’s tax returns as well as ethics issues.
Another Democrat soon to be a chairman, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, would go after Trump on family separations at the southern border and gun safety under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.
“He’s going to learn that he’s not above the law,” Nadler was quoted as saying by CNN.
