Democrat state lawmakers want Trump off 2020 ballots until he releases his tax returns
17 state legislatures are considering bills that would require a presidential candidate to make their tax returns public to be included on the ballot; Dan Springer reports.
In their zeal to attack President Trump, Democrats have weaponized the FBI and Justice Department and have now moved on to the Internal Revenue Service. They continue to grasp at straws – to no avail – and no matter the cost.
A few weeks ago, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said many members of Congress might not have the technical background to understand President Trump’s tax returns if they became public.
That isn’t to say such members are unintelligent. I’d struggle to read a medical chart in physician jargon. But I do have expertise in understanding a tax return. That’s because I’m a certified public accountant and a lawyer.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: TRUMP IS RIGHT TO WITHHOLD HIS TAX RETURNS FROM DEMOCRATS
I practiced tax law for 25 years and have reviewed countless tax returns. I sit on the House Ways and Means Committee, which just rewrote the tax code for the first time in 30 years.
It’s clear to me that the Democrats’ aggressive campaign to publicize the president’s tax returns is a dishonest political ploy that threatens the privacy of all American taxpayers.
It’s clear to me that the Democrats’ aggressive campaign to publicize the president’s tax returns is a dishonest political ploy that threatens the privacy of all American taxpayers.
On top of this, a tax return won’t produce the poison the Democrats are desperately searching for.
Congress long ago passed laws that require elected officials to submit detailed disclosures of their financial lives. These disclosure laws have been regularly updated, most recently in 2013. Notably, these laws don’t require disclosure of tax returns. Congress could have chosen to legally require disclosure of tax returns, but did not.
President Trump has fully complied with the financial disclosure laws set by Congress. His 92-page disclosure discusses his assets, income, transactions, liabilities, gifts, travel reimbursements and sources of compensation exceeding $5,000 in a year.
This disclosure document has been made readily available to anyone who wishes to view it. Democrats reviewed the president’s disclosure but didn’t find what they wanted to attack him.
What would the president’s federal income tax returns show? An idea of his income streams, assets he sold that year, and how much individual tax he paid.
The tax returns of the president’s business entities may have a balance sheet that would provide an idea of assets and liabilities.
But no matter how hard Democrats might try to convince you, there is no line on any tax form that would show President Trump colluded with Russia to get elected.
All told, 19 lawyers on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s staff spent two years combing through President Trump’s life, financial and otherwise, looking for collusion with Russia. They found none.
The Democrats now seem to believe that if you disagree with political opponents, you may use the tax code to fish for opportunities to discredit them. This is dangerous ground.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Regardless of these facts, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has made it clear her party will use all levers of government to “make these tax returns public.”
Regrettably, Democrats will continue waging all-out political warfare against our president, even if it means weaponizing another federal agency and jeopardizing the privacy of every single American.
Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week.