House Democrat issues subpoenas for Trump tax returns

Reporting from Washington —  A top House Democrat has issued subpoenas for six years of President Trump’s tax returns, giving Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig a deadline of May 17 to deliver them.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) issued the subpoenas Friday, days after Mnuchin refused to comply with demands to turn over Trump’s returns. Mnuchin told the panel he wouldn’t provide Trump’s tax records because the panel’s request “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose,” as Supreme Court precedent requires.

Neal is reminding the two Trump appointees in a Friday letter that federal law states that the IRS “shall furnish” the tax returns of any individual upon the request of the chairmen of Congress’ tax-writing committees. He says Ways and Means “has never been denied” such a request.