JUST IN: DOJ Releases Legal Opinion Backing Mnuchin’s Refusal to Release Trump’s Tax Returns

The Justice Department on Friday released a 33-page legal opinion backing Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s refusal to release the last six years of Trump’s tax returns.

“While the Executive Branch should accord due deference and respect to congressional requests, Treasury was not obliged to accept the Committee’s stated purpose without question, and based on all the facts and circumstances, we agreed that the Committee lacked a legitimate legislative purpose for its request,” Steven Engel, an assistant attorney general in DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel, said in the 33-page opinion, reported The Hill.

Last month, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin rejected a subpoena from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) asking for Trump six years of President Trump’s personal and business tax returns.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin last month formally rejected House Democrats’ request for President Trump’s tax returns.

Mnuchin told House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal in a letter that his committee’s request for Trump’s tax returns “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose.”

“Out of respect for the deadlines previously set by the Committee, and consistent with our commitment to a prompt response, I am informing you now that the Department may not lawfully fulfill the Committee’s request,” Mnuchin said last month, citing legal guidance from the Department of Justice.

The Justice Department’s legal opinion backs Mnuchin which means the Democrats will get nothing and like it.

DEVELOPING… 

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Cristina began writing for The Gateway Pundit in 2016 and she is now the Associate Editor.

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