Ways And Means Chair Directs IRS To Turn Over Donald Trump Tax Returns | Rachel Maddow

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>>> JUST IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS,
>>> JUST IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, JUST SINCE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER
JUST SINCE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER THE HOUSE, A WHOLE BUNCH OF
THE HOUSE, A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF HAS STARTED BEING PRIED
STUFF HAS STARTED BEING PRIED OPEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE
OPEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRESIDENT'S FINANCES.
PRESIDENT'S FINANCES. THE PRESIDENT'S LONG-TIME LAWYER
THE PRESIDENT'S LONG-TIME LAWYER MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIED PUBLICLY
MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIED PUBLICLY TO CONGRESS EARLIER THIS YEAR
TO CONGRESS EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS, TRUMP
THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS, TRUMP HAD COMMITTED INSURANCE FRAUD AT
HAD COMMITTED INSURANCE FRAUD AT HIS NEW YORK BUSINESS.
HIS NEW YORK BUSINESS. THAT LED TO AEON, TRUMP'S
THAT LED TO AEON, TRUMP'S INSURANCE BROKER, A GIANT FIRM,
INSURANCE BROKER, A GIANT FIRM, SUBSEQUENTLY BEING SUBPOENAED BY
SUBSEQUENTLY BEING SUBPOENAED BY THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF
THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICE.
FINANCIAL SERVICE. AND AN ENTITY LIKE THAT HAS A
AND AN ENTITY LIKE THAT HAS A NAME THAT SOUNDS ALMOST QUAINT
NAME THAT SOUNDS ALMOST QUAINT LIKE OH, THEY PROVIDE SERVICES.
LIKE OH, THEY PROVIDE SERVICES. ACTUALLY, THEY ARE A LAW
ACTUALLY, THEY ARE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT HAS AN
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT HAS AN INCREDIBLE AND CINEMATIC HISTORY
INCREDIBLE AND CINEMATIC HISTORY OF BUSTING PEOPLE UP TO AND
OF BUSTING PEOPLE UP TO AND INCLUDING MAJOR MAFIA FAMILIES
INCLUDING MAJOR MAFIA FAMILIES BASED ON FINANCIAL CRIMES AND
BASED ON FINANCIAL CRIMES AND FRAUD.
FRAUD. COHEN ALSO TESTIFIED THAT TRUMP
COHEN ALSO TESTIFIED THAT TRUMP INFLATE HIS ASSETS NOT JUST TO
INFLATE HIS ASSETS NOT JUST TO COMMIT INSURANCE FRAUD, BUT ALSO
COMMIT INSURANCE FRAUD, BUT ALSO TO APPLY FOR BANK LOANS, WHICH
TO APPLY FOR BANK LOANS, WHICH IF TRUE WOULD CUTE BANK FRAUD
IF TRUE WOULD CUTE BANK FRAUD THAT LED TO DEUTSCHE BANK
THAT LED TO DEUTSCHE BANK SUBSEQUENTLY BEING SUBPOENAED BY
SUBSEQUENTLY BEING SUBPOENAED BY THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE
OFFICE, SPECIFICALLY ON THE ISSUE OF THAT BANK'S LARGE LOANS
ISSUE OF THAT BANK'S LARGE LOANS TO TRUMP.
TO TRUMP. DEUTSCHE BANK HAS ALSO BEEN
DEUTSCHE BANK HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTEDLY COOPERATING WITH
REPORTEDLY COOPERATING WITH REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTS FROM THE
REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTS FROM THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES
HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE AND FROM THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE AND FROM THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE.
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE. NOW TODAY, ELIJAH CUMMINGS,
NOW TODAY, ELIJAH CUMMINGS, CHAIR OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
CHAIR OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SAYS THAT TRUMP'S ACCOUNTING
SAYS THAT TRUMP'S ACCOUNTING FIRM HAS ALSO AGREED TO HAND
FIRM HAS ALSO AGREED TO HAND OVER YEARS WORTH OF FINANCIAL
OVER YEARS WORTH OF FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FROM THEIR TIME
DOCUMENTS FROM THEIR TIME WORKING WITH TRUMP.
WORKING WITH TRUMP. INTERESTINGLY, THOUGH, MAZAR'S
INTERESTINGLY, THOUGH, MAZAR'S ALERTED CONGRESS THAT THEY WOULD
ALERTED CONGRESS THAT THEY WOULD PLEASE LIKE A SUBPOENA IF THEY
PLEASE LIKE A SUBPOENA IF THEY REALLY WANTED TO SEE THIS
REALLY WANTED TO SEE THIS INFORMATION SO THAT IT'S CLEAR
INFORMATION SO THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY LEGALLY HAD NO CHOICE
THAT THEY LEGALLY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAND OVER THESE DOCUMENT.
BUT TO HAND OVER THESE DOCUMENT. S ABOUT THEIR WORK WITH TRUMP.
S ABOUT THEIR WORK WITH TRUMP. CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS TODAY TOLD
CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS TODAY TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY
REPORTERS THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO OBLIGE.
TO OBLIGE. >> TELL US THE DAY.
>> TELL US THE DAY. WE'LL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION
WE'LL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION WHEN THEY -- PRETTY MUCH WHEN
WHEN THEY -- PRETTY MUCH WHEN THEY HAVE A SUBPOENA.
THEY HAVE A SUBPOENA. AND WE'LL GET THEM SUBPOENAED.
AND WE'LL GET THEM SUBPOENAED. >> WE'LL GET THEM A SUBPOENA, NO
>> WE'LL GET THEM A SUBPOENA, NO PROBLEM.
PROBLEM. ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE.
ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE. SO IT'S ONLY, YOU KNOW, EARLY
SO IT'S ONLY, YOU KNOW, EARLY SPRING, AND THE PRESIDENT'S
SPRING, AND THE PRESIDENT'S FINANCIAL WORLD IS OPENING LIKE
FINANCIAL WORLD IS OPENING LIKE A CROCUS POKING ITS NOSE THROUGH
A CROCUS POKING ITS NOSE THROUGH THE SNOW.
THE SNOW. BUT NOW TONIGHT THERE IS THIS.
BUT NOW TONIGHT THERE IS THIS. DEMOCRATS TONIGHT STARTING TO
DEMOCRATS TONIGHT STARTING TO TACKLE THE ORIGINAL OPEN
TACKLE THE ORIGINAL OPEN QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S
QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S FINANCE, HIS TAX RETURNS.
FINANCE, HIS TAX RETURNS. I MEAN TRUMP NEVER RELEASING HIS
I MEAN TRUMP NEVER RELEASING HIS TAX RETURNS IS SOMETHING WE'VE
TAX RETURNS IS SOMETHING WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO ABOUT HIM.
GOTTEN USED TO ABOUT HIM. IT DOESN'T MEAN NOW IT'S NOW
IT DOESN'T MEAN NOW IT'S NOW NORMAL.
NORMAL. IT IS STILL AN ABSOLUTELY
IT IS STILL AN ABSOLUTELY UNPRECEDENT AND ABNORMAL THING.
UNPRECEDENT AND ABNORMAL THING. TRUMP REMAINS NOT JUST THE FIRST
TRUMP REMAINS NOT JUST THE FIRST PRESIDENT, BUT THE FIRST MAJOR
PRESIDENT, BUT THE FIRST MAJOR PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO
PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO NOT RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS IN
NOT RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS IN DECADES.
DECADES. AND THE REASON HE'S CONSISTENTLY
AND THE REASON HE'S CONSISTENTLY GIVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR
GIVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN FOR THE REASON HE'S NOT RELEASING
THE REASON HE'S NOT RELEASING HIS TAX RETURNS IS THAT THE
HIS TAX RETURNS IS THAT THE RETURNS ARE UNDER AUDIT, AND
RETURNS ARE UNDER AUDIT, AND THEREFORE HE CAN'T RELEASE THEM.
THEREFORE HE CAN'T RELEASE THEM. LOVE TO, BUT HE CAN'T.
LOVE TO, BUT HE CAN'T. THAT CLAIM HAS NEVER MADE ANY
THAT CLAIM HAS NEVER MADE ANY SENSE AT ALL.
SENSE AT ALL. NOTHING ABOUT BEING UNDER AUDIT
NOTHING ABOUT BEING UNDER AUDIT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM RELEASING
WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM RELEASING YOUR TAX RETURNS.
YOUR TAX RETURNS. BUT NOW TONIGHT DEMOCRATS APPEAR
BUT NOW TONIGHT DEMOCRATS APPEAR TO BE THROWING THE HARPOON AND
TO BE THROWING THE HARPOON AND GOING FOR THIS WHITE WHALE.
GOING FOR THIS WHITE WHALE. FROM HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR
FROM HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR RICHIE NEAL TO CHARLES REDICK
RICHIE NEAL TO CHARLES REDICK TONIGHT, QUOTE, DEAR
TONIGHT, QUOTE, DEAR COMMISSIONER REDICK, WITH THIS
COMMISSIONER REDICK, WITH THIS AUTHORITY COMES A RESPONSIBILITY
AUTHORITY COMES A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE IRS IS
TO ENSURE THAT THE IRS IS ENFORCING THE LAWS IN A FAIR AND
ENFORCING THE LAWS IN A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL MANNER.
IMPARTIAL MANNER. CHAIRMAN NEAL GOES ON THE
CHAIRMAN NEAL GOES ON THE EXPLAIN THAT THE IRS IS REQUIRED
EXPLAIN THAT THE IRS IS REQUIRED TO EXAMINE THE TAX RETURNS OF
TO EXAMINE THE TAX RETURNS OF EVERY PRESIDENT.
EVERY PRESIDENT. HE SAYS HIS COMMITTEE IN
HE SAYS HIS COMMITTEE IN CONGRESS HAS A DUTY TO MAKE SURE
CONGRESS HAS A DUTY TO MAKE SURE THE IRS IS PERFORMING THAT
THE IRS IS PERFORMING THAT EXAMINATION PROPERLY.
EXAMINATION PROPERLY. QUOTE, PURSUANT TO MY AUTHORITY
QUOTE, PURSUANT TO MY AUTHORITY UNDER IRS CODE SECTION 6103F.
UNDER IRS CODE SECTION 6103F. FOR EACH OF THE TAX YEARS 2013
FOR EACH OF THE TAX YEARS 2013 THROUGH 2018, I HEREBY REQUEST
THROUGH 2018, I HEREBY REQUEST THE FOLLOWING RETURN AND RETURN
THE FOLLOWING RETURN AND RETURN INFORMATION.
INFORMATION. NUMBER ONE, THE FEDERAL
NUMBER ONE, THE FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS OF
INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS OF DONALD J. TRUMP AND THE FEDERAL
DONALD J. TRUMP AND THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS OF THE
INCOME TAX RETURNS OF THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES.
FOLLOWING ENTITIES. AND THEN THERE ARE EIGHT TRUMP
AND THEN THERE ARE EIGHT TRUMP BUSINESS ENTITIES LISTED THERE.
BUSINESS ENTITIES LISTED THERE. THOSE BUSINESSES ACCORDING TO
THOSE BUSINESSES ACCORDING TO THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE,
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, QUOTE, CONTROL HUNDREDS OF OTHER
QUOTE, CONTROL HUNDREDS OF OTHER BUSINESS ENTITIES ASSOCIATED
BUSINESS ENTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH TRUMP.
WITH TRUMP. NOW THE AUTHORITY THAT CHAIRMAN
NOW THE AUTHORITY THAT CHAIRMAN NEAL IS REFERRING TO HERE, THIS
NEAL IS REFERRING TO HERE, THIS TAX CODE -- PORTION OF THE TAX
TAX CODE -- PORTION OF THE TAX CODE THAT ALLOWS HIM TO REQUEST
CODE THAT ALLOWS HIM TO REQUEST ANY TAX RETURN IN THE COUNTRY,
ANY TAX RETURN IN THE COUNTRY, UP TO AND INCLUDING THE
UP TO AND INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S, THAT SECTION OF THE
PRESIDENT'S, THAT SECTION OF THE TAX CODE, THE AUTHORITY UNDER
TAX CODE, THE AUTHORITY UNDER WHICH HE IS MAKING THIS DEMAND
WHICH HE IS MAKING THIS DEMAND TO SEE TRUMP'S TAXES, THAT
TO SEE TRUMP'S TAXES, THAT SECTION OF THE TAX CODE ACTUALLY
SECTION OF THE TAX CODE ACTUALLY ORIGINATED FROM A WHITE HOUSE
ORIGINATED FROM A WHITE HOUSE SCANDAL.
SCANDAL. YOU REMEMBER FROM HIGH SCHOOL
YOU REMEMBER FROM HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY THE NAME THE TEAPOT
HISTORY THE NAME THE TEAPOT DOME, RIGHT?
DOME, RIGHT? THE TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL.
THE TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL. I KNOW YOU REMEMBER THAT PHRASE,
I KNOW YOU REMEMBER THAT PHRASE, EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T REMEMBER
EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS.
WHAT IT WAS. YOU DON'T NEED TO REMEMBER EVERY
YOU DON'T NEED TO REMEMBER EVERY DETAIL OF THE TEAPOT DOME
DETAIL OF THE TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL.
SCANDAL. BASICALLY, IT WAS A BRIBERY
BASICALLY, IT WAS A BRIBERY SCANDAL.
SCANDAL. IT HAPPENED IN THE EARLY 1920s.
IT HAPPENED IN THE EARLY 1920s. THE IMPORTANT PART FOR US TODAY
THE IMPORTANT PART FOR US TODAY IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF AT
IS THAT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF AT THE TIME WAS POTENTIALLY
THE TIME WAS POTENTIALLY IMPLICATED IN THAT BRIBERY
IMPLICATED IN THAT BRIBERY SCANDAL, AND THAT CREATED A
SCANDAL, AND THAT CREATED A PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATORS,
PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATORS, BECAUSE AT THE TIME, ONLY THE
BECAUSE AT THE TIME, ONLY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF HAD THE POWER
PRESIDENT HIMSELF HAD THE POWER TO REQUEST SOMEONE'S TAX RETURN.
TO REQUEST SOMEONE'S TAX RETURN. SO HOW WAS CONGRESS SUPPOSED TO
SO HOW WAS CONGRESS SUPPOSED TO PERFORM PROPER OVERSIGHT AND
PERFORM PROPER OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATION INTO THIS
INVESTIGATION INTO THIS EXECUTIVE BRANCH BRIBERY SCANDAL
EXECUTIVE BRANCH BRIBERY SCANDAL IF THEY HAD NO POWER TO FOLLOW
IF THEY HAD NO POWER TO FOLLOW THE MONEY WHEN IT CAME TO
THE MONEY WHEN IT CAME TO ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS,
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.
INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. SO CONGRESS NEEDS THE ABILITY
SO CONGRESS NEEDS THE ABILITY NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT.
NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT. CONGRESS NEEDS THE ABILITY TO
CONGRESS NEEDS THE ABILITY TO REQUEST TO SEE, TO DEMAND TO SEE
REQUEST TO SEE, TO DEMAND TO SEE INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURNS, UP TO
INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURNS, UP TO AND INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S
AND INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S TAX RETURNS.
TAX RETURNS. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER IMPETUS
THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER IMPETUS AT THE TIME INTERESTINGLY.
AT THE TIME INTERESTINGLY. THE GUY WHO HAD JUST BECOME
THE GUY WHO HAD JUST BECOME TREASURY SECRETARY AT THE TIME
TREASURY SECRETARY AT THE TIME OF THE TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL, HE
OF THE TEAPOT DOME SCANDAL, HE HAPPENED TO BE A VERY, VERY,
HAPPENED TO BE A VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY RICH GUY.
VERY, VERY, VERY RICH GUY. HE DID NOT DIVEST FROM HIS OWN
HE DID NOT DIVEST FROM HIS OWN BUSINESSES WHEN HE JOINED THE
BUSINESSES WHEN HE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS TREASURY
GOVERNMENT AS TREASURY SECRETARY.
SECRETARY. STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO
STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO SOUND FAMILIAR.
SOUND FAMILIAR. CONGRESS SAID AT THE TIME WE
CONGRESS SAID AT THE TIME WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE
HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS GUY AS TREASURY
THAT THIS GUY AS TREASURY SECRETARY IS NOT MAKING TAX
SECRETARY IS NOT MAKING TAX POLICY OR OTHER FEDERAL POLICY
POLICY OR OTHER FEDERAL POLICY IN ORDER TO BENEFIT HIS OWN
IN ORDER TO BENEFIT HIS OWN BUSINESS INTERESTS.
BUSINESS INTERESTS. WE NEED TO SEE HIS TAX RETURNS
WE NEED TO SEE HIS TAX RETURNS TOO.
TOO. AND SINCE HE'S THE PRESIDENT'S
AND SINCE HE'S THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET OFFICIAL, THE PRESIDENT
CABINET OFFICIAL, THE PRESIDENT ISN'T GOING TO DO IT.
ISN'T GOING TO DO IT. THERE IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
THERE IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE BOTH FOR THE PRESIDENT
THERE BOTH FOR THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF AND FOR ANYBODY HE WANTS
HIMSELF AND FOR ANYBODY HE WANTS TO PROTECT.
TO PROTECT. CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO GET
CONGRESS NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO GET RETURNS AS WELL.
RETURNS AS WELL. FOR THOSE -- FOR THOSE REASONS,
FOR THOSE -- FOR THOSE REASONS, CONGRESS IN 1924 PASSED A LOSS
CONGRESS IN 1924 PASSED A LOSS THAT EXPLICITLY CLEARLY ALLOWS
THAT EXPLICITLY CLEARLY ALLOWS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE
AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE
CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THOSE TWO SPECIFIC
COMMITTEE, THOSE TWO SPECIFIC PEOPLE TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE
PEOPLE TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE ANY AMERICAN'S TAX RETURNS IN
ANY AMERICAN'S TAX RETURNS IN ORDER TO PERFORM CONGRESSIONAL
ORDER TO PERFORM CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.
OVERSIGHT. THAT LAW ENDED UP COMING IN
THAT LAW ENDED UP COMING IN HANDY A HALF CENTURY LATER WHEN
HANDY A HALF CENTURY LATER WHEN CONGRESS NEEDED TO LOOK AT
CONGRESS NEEDED TO LOOK AT PRESIDENT NIXON'S TAX RETURNS,
PRESIDENT NIXON'S TAX RETURNS, ONLY TO DISCOVER HE HAD FAILED
ONLY TO DISCOVER HE HAD FAILED TO PAY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
TO PAY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TAXES.
DOLLARS IN TAXES. THAT'S HOW WE GET THE MODERN
THAT'S HOW WE GET THE MODERN TRADITION OF PRESIDENTS AND
TRADITION OF PRESIDENTS AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES RELEASING THEIR TAX RETURNS,
RELEASING THEIR TAX RETURNS, BECAUSE OF WHAT CONGRESS FOUND
BECAUSE OF WHAT CONGRESS FOUND IN NIXON'S TAXES WHEN THEY PRIED
IN NIXON'S TAXES WHEN THEY PRIED THEM LOOSE AND TOOK A LOOK.
THEM LOOSE AND TOOK A LOOK. AND NOW CONGRESSMAN RICHIE NEAL
AND NOW CONGRESSMAN RICHIE NEAL IS MAKING THIS REQUEST UNDER
IS MAKING THIS REQUEST UNDER THIS NEARLY CENTURY OLD LAW, AND
THIS NEARLY CENTURY OLD LAW, AND HE IS MAKING CLEAR THAT HE
HE IS MAKING CLEAR THAT HE EXPECTS TO GET WHAT HE IS ASKING
EXPECTS TO GET WHAT HE IS ASKING FOR.
FOR. HE MAKES CLEAR, FOR INSTANCE,
HE MAKES CLEAR, FOR INSTANCE, THAT THIS LETTER TODAY IS NOT A
THAT THIS LETTER TODAY IS NOT A SUBPOENA BECAUSE HE DOESN'T NEED
SUBPOENA BECAUSE HE DOESN'T NEED A SUBPOENA.
A SUBPOENA. QUOTE, CHAIRMAN NEAL IS
QUOTE, CHAIRMAN NEAL IS EXPLICITLY AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE
EXPLICITLY AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE TAX RETURNS UNDER THIS STATUTE.
TAX RETURNS UNDER THIS STATUTE. QUOTE, THE COMMITTEE HAS USED
QUOTE, THE COMMITTEE HAS USED THIS PROVISION TO REQUEST TAX
THIS PROVISION TO REQUEST TAX RETURNS AS PART OF ITS PREVIOUS
RETURNS AS PART OF ITS PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS.
INVESTIGATIONS. THIS PROVISION IS NOT OBSCURE.
THIS PROVISION IS NOT OBSCURE. PRESIDENT NIXON, PRESIDENT FORD
PRESIDENT NIXON, PRESIDENT FORD AND VICE PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER
AND VICE PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER ALL WERE SUBJECT TO
ALL WERE SUBJECT TO CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY OF THEIR
CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY OF THEIR TAX RETURNS.
TAX RETURNS. NEAL ALSO MAKES CLEAR WHY HE IS
NEAL ALSO MAKES CLEAR WHY HE IS ASKING FOR THESE RETURNS.
ASKING FOR THESE RETURNS. QUOTE, THE COMMITTEE IS
QUOTE, THE COMMITTEE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S
CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL TAX
COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL TAX LAWS.
LAWS. HE'S ALSO CALLING THE QUESTION
HE'S ALSO CALLING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT TRUMP WAS EVER
OF WHETHER OR NOT TRUMP WAS EVER REALLY UNDER AUDIT AT ALL, WHICH
REALLY UNDER AUDIT AT ALL, WHICH HAS BEEN TRUMP'S EXCUSE FOR NOT
HAS BEEN TRUMP'S EXCUSE FOR NOT RELEASING HIS TAXES.
RELEASING HIS TAXES. THAT WAS ALWAYS AN EXCUSE THAT
THAT WAS ALWAYS AN EXCUSE THAT NEVER MADE SENSE ANYWAY.
NEVER MADE SENSE ANYWAY. BUT OF COURSE IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE
BUT OF COURSE IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE THAT WAS NEVER -- THAT IT WAS
THAT WAS NEVER -- THAT IT WAS NEVER EVEN TRUE IN THE FIRST
NEVER EVEN TRUE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
PLACE. AND IN RELEASING THIS REQUEST
AND IN RELEASING THIS REQUEST TONIGHT, RICHIE NEAL ALSO PUT
TONIGHT, RICHIE NEAL ALSO PUT OUT THIS ESSENTIALLY IMPASSIONED
OUT THIS ESSENTIALLY IMPASSIONED PLEA THAT WHAT HE IS DOING HERE
PLEA THAT WHAT HE IS DOING HERE IS NOT RASH AND IT'S NOT PLAYING
IS NOT RASH AND IT'S NOT PLAYING POLITICS AND IT'S NOT FOR SOME
POLITICS AND IT'S NOT FOR SOME ULTERIOR MOTIVE THAT YOU CAN'T
ULTERIOR MOTIVE THAT YOU CAN'T SEE.
SEE. THIS IS INTERESTING.
THIS IS INTERESTING. HE SAYS, QUOTE, I TAKE THE
HE SAYS, QUOTE, I TAKE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THIS REQUEST
AUTHORITY TO MAKE THIS REQUEST VERY SERIOUSLY, AND I APPROACH
VERY SERIOUSLY, AND I APPROACH IT WITH THE UTMOST CARE AND
IT WITH THE UTMOST CARE AND RESPECT.
RESPECT. THIS REQUEST IS ABOUT POLICY,
THIS REQUEST IS ABOUT POLICY, NOT POLITICS.
NOT POLITICS. MY PREPARATIONS WERE MADE ON MY
MY PREPARATIONS WERE MADE ON MY OWN TRACK AND TIMELINE, ENTIRELY
OWN TRACK AND TIMELINE, ENTIRELY INDEPENDENT OF OTHER ACTIVITIES
INDEPENDENT OF OTHER ACTIVITIES IN CONGRESS AND THE
IN CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
ADMINISTRATION. MY ACTIONS REFLECT AN ABIDING
MY ACTIONS REFLECT AN ABIDING REFERENCE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND
REFERENCE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR INSTITUTIONS AND ARE IN NO
OUR INSTITUTIONS AND ARE IN NO WAY BASED ON EMOTION OF THE
WAY BASED ON EMOTION OF THE MOMENT OR PARTISANSHIP.
MOMENT OR PARTISANSHIP. I TRUST THAT IN THIS SPIRIT, THE
I TRUST THAT IN THIS SPIRIT, THE IRS WILL COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW
IRS WILL COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW AND FURNISH ME WITH THE
AND FURNISH ME WITH THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS IN A TIMELY
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
MANNER. I WILL ALSO JUST NOTE, AND THIS
I WILL ALSO JUST NOTE, AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SORT OF
IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SORT OF MAYBE INSIDE THE NEWS BUSINESS
MAYBE INSIDE THE NEWS BUSINESS PEEK AT THIS, BUT CONGRESSMAN
PEEK AT THIS, BUT CONGRESSMAN RICHIE NEAL OF MASSACHUSETTS,
RICHIE NEAL OF MASSACHUSETTS, CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS,
CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS, HAVING RELEASED THIS LETTER
HAVING RELEASED THIS LETTER TONIGHT, HAVING TOLD THE IRS
TONIGHT, HAVING TOLD THE IRS THAT THEY NEED TO HAND OVER
THAT THEY NEED TO HAND OVER THESE TAX RETURNS, HE IS
THESE TAX RETURNS, HE IS REFUSING ALL INTERVIEWS ON THIS
REFUSING ALL INTERVIEWS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND HE HAS BEEN FROM
SUBJECT, AND HE HAS BEEN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WHICH ITSELF
THE VERY BEGINNING, WHICH ITSELF IS AN INTERESTING PART OF THIS
IS AN INTERESTING PART OF THIS DYNAMIC HERE.
DYNAMIC HERE. I MEAN, OTHER CHAIRS WHO HAVE
I MEAN, OTHER CHAIRS WHO HAVE BEEN GOING AFTER TRUMP'S
BEEN GOING AFTER TRUMP'S FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THEY HAVE
FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THEY HAVE MADE VERY MUCH A PUBLIC CASE,
MADE VERY MUCH A PUBLIC CASE, AND IN MANY CASES A TELEVISED
AND IN MANY CASES A TELEVISED CASE AS TO WHY THEY'RE DOING
CASE AS TO WHY THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND WHY IN
WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND WHY IN PARTICULAR THEY'RE DOING THE
PARTICULAR THEY'RE DOING THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND
MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND CONFRONTATIONAL THINGS THEY'RE
CONFRONTATIONAL THINGS THEY'RE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO
DOING WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTIGATING AND OVERSEEING
INVESTIGATING AND OVERSEEING PRESIDENT TRUMP.
PRESIDENT TRUMP. CONGRESSMAN RICHIE NEAL IN WAYS
CONGRESSMAN RICHIE NEAL IN WAYS AND MEANS IS TAKING ABSOLUTELY
AND MEANS IS TAKING ABSOLUTELY THE OPPOSITE APPROACH.
THE OPPOSITE APPROACH. THERE IS A REASON YOU HAVE NOT
THERE IS A REASON YOU HAVE NOT SEEN HIM ON TV TALKING ABOUT
SEEN HIM ON TV TALKING ABOUT THIS.
THIS. BUT THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE
BUT THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE FRAUGHT, RIGHT?
FRAUGHT, RIGHT? HERE HE IS TRYING TO GET THE TAX
HERE HE IS TRYING TO GET THE TAX RETURNS OF THE FIRST PRESIDENT
RETURNS OF THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN DECADES, THE FIRST
IN DECADES, THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN DECADES WHO DECIDE ON HIS OWN
DECADES WHO DECIDE ON HIS OWN NOT TO RELEASE THEM UNDER WHAT
NOT TO RELEASE THEM UNDER WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SPURIOUS EXCUSE.
APPEARS TO BE A SPURIOUS EXCUSE. HE HAS VOWED TO FIGHT TO KEEP
HE HAS VOWED TO FIGHT TO KEEP THEM SECRET.
THEM SECRET. RICHIE NEAL SAYS THE IRS HAS
RICHIE NEAL SAYS THE IRS HAS NEVER, EVER REFUSED A REQUEST
NEVER, EVER REFUSED A REQUEST UNDER THIS PORTION OF THE TAX
UNDER THIS PORTION OF THE TAX CODE TO SHOW HIM, TO SHOW THE
CODE TO SHOW HIM, TO SHOW THE CHAIRMAN OF THIS COMMITTEE A
CHAIRMAN OF THIS COMMITTEE A RETURN THAT WAS REQUESTED UNDER
RETURN THAT WAS REQUESTED UNDER THIS PROVISION.
THIS PROVISION. THEY'VE NEVER BEFORE SAID NO.
THEY'VE NEVER BEFORE SAID NO. ARE THEY GOING TO SAY NO
ARE THEY GOING TO SAY NO SPECIFICALLY FOR TRUMP AND ON

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