Donald Trump is the first president in 40 years not to share his federal income tax returns. Democrats just tried to gain access to them through the House Ways and Means Committee, but were voted down by Republicans. With the shadow of Russian infiltration looming over the White House, watchdogs say we need to see Trump's tax returns now more than ever. But supporters say this nothing more than a witch hunt by sore losers, and Trump's taxes only matter to journalists. What do you think?
A rarely invoked 1924 law allows Congress to examine tax returns for the purpose of determining whether conflicts of interest exist, including the president's.
New Jersey congressman Bill Pascrell requested the House Ways and Means Committee examine Trump's returns, but his request was voted down by Republicans on the committee. Committee chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) said the move would be a violation of taxpayers' privacy rights.
By a vote of 23-15, Republicans just voted to not request President Trump's tax returns from the Treasury Department.
— Ways and Means Dems (@WaysMeansCmte) February 14, 2017
Democrats expressed outrage Republicans would vote to keep Trump's tax returns secret. They argue that this week's firestorm over Russia's ties to the White House makes the president's returns a vital national security issue. Over 500,000 people have signed a petition on the White House website demanding to see Trump's returns. In a January poll, 73 percent of Americans said they wanted to see the returns.
This is an issue that's not going to go away.
Others strongly dislike the idea of Congress having access to citizens' tax returns, and agree with the House Ways and Means Committee members who say it's a privacy violation.
.@RepKevinBrady: If Congress "starts rummaging around" Trump's tax returns, "what stops them from doing it to everyday Americans?"
— Jamie Lovegrove (@jslovegrove) February 15, 2017
Trump's supporters didn't care about seeing his returns during the campaign, and they care even less now.
Why I don't care about Trump's tax returns:
— Mark Romano (@TheMarkRomano) February 13, 2017
We shouldn't have an income tax, hence we shouldn't have to file tax returns, so I don't care!
No one is compelled by law to share his or her tax returns to run for president—it's simply a norm.
@DrMartyFox @AnnaBD20 @shootingfurfun Plus there is no law on the books that say Trump has to show his tax returns, Liberals ignorant #MAGA
— Swamp Cleaner Fred (@AlwayanAmerican) January 24, 2017
The president himself claims the public is not interested in his returns, and only members of the press are obsessed with them.
