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| Trump's taxes: Democrats request president's returns from IRS – live | Trump's taxes: Democrats request president's returns from IRS – live |
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| Officials working for the special counsel have expressed concerns over how Attorney General William Barr classified the findings in the Mueller report, the New York Times is reporting. | |
| In his summary, the anonymous investigators say, Barr mischaracterized the results of their investigation. They believe it boded worse for the president than portrayed. | |
| Per The Times: | |
| At stake in the dispute — the first evidence of tension between Mr. Barr and the special counsel’s office — is who shapes the public’s initial understanding of one of the most consequential government investigations in American history. Some members of Mr. Mueller’s team are concerned that, because Mr. Barr created the first narrative of the special counsel’s findings, Americans’ views will have hardened before the investigation’s conclusions become public”. | |
| Barr is expected to provide a redacted version of Mueller’s report this month. | |
| William Barr to give Congress redacted version of Mueller report by mid-April | |
| Democratic senators have pressed Stephen Moore for detailed information on his finances over the past decade, after the Guardian revealed he owed $75,000 in federal taxes and was held in contempt of court over unpaid debts. | Democratic senators have pressed Stephen Moore for detailed information on his finances over the past decade, after the Guardian revealed he owed $75,000 in federal taxes and was held in contempt of court over unpaid debts. |
| Moore, the economics commentator chosen by Donald Trump for a seat on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, was warned in a letter that he may need to provide a full tax return to senators preparing to consider his nomination. | Moore, the economics commentator chosen by Donald Trump for a seat on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors, was warned in a letter that he may need to provide a full tax return to senators preparing to consider his nomination. |
| Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking members of the Senate banking and finance committees, told Moore they had “read with concern” the Guardian’s reports, which Moore has called “vile and vicious and underhanded”. | Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking members of the Senate banking and finance committees, told Moore they had “read with concern” the Guardian’s reports, which Moore has called “vile and vicious and underhanded”. |
| Trump’s Federal Reserve pick owes $75,000 in taxes, US government alleges | Trump’s Federal Reserve pick owes $75,000 in taxes, US government alleges |
| Even though House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal gave the IRS until April 10 to comply with his request for Trump’s tax returns, the president is telling reporters he isn’t concerned. | Even though House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal gave the IRS until April 10 to comply with his request for Trump’s tax returns, the president is telling reporters he isn’t concerned. |
| Trump, per WH pool, says he’s “not inclined” to adhere to the new demand by House Ways and Means that he release six years of tax returns. | Trump, per WH pool, says he’s “not inclined” to adhere to the new demand by House Ways and Means that he release six years of tax returns. |
| Trump repeated his previous claims that he is unable to reveal his financial documents to the public because they are currently under audit. | |
| The request, submitted today, asks the IRS for Trump’s individual tax returns, indications of whether or not they have ever been under examination or audit, the administrative files and the returns from 8 Trump-owned entities. | The request, submitted today, asks the IRS for Trump’s individual tax returns, indications of whether or not they have ever been under examination or audit, the administrative files and the returns from 8 Trump-owned entities. |
| While the returns likely won’t be handed over without a battle, Democrats are emphasizing that Trump doesn’t have the legal authority to stop the IRS from complying. | |
| We are well aware that the President is not inclined to be transparent, but this is not up to him.Federal law is clear that our Chairman has the legal authority to request and receive these returns and the Administration has no legal basis to refuse to comply with this request. https://t.co/gW4GOQfmUp | |
| Amidst calls from Congress for an investigation into the security breach at the President’s Palm Beach estate, Trump has responded telling reporters that it was “a fluke” and used it as an opportunity to commended the Mar-a-Lago front desk worker. | Amidst calls from Congress for an investigation into the security breach at the President’s Palm Beach estate, Trump has responded telling reporters that it was “a fluke” and used it as an opportunity to commended the Mar-a-Lago front desk worker. |
| President Trump calls security breach at Mar-a-Lago "a fluke.""No, I'm not concerned at all, we have very good control," Trump said. "The person sitting at the front desk did a very good job."On Cindy Yang, who was selling access to Trump and his club: "Who is that?" | President Trump calls security breach at Mar-a-Lago "a fluke.""No, I'm not concerned at all, we have very good control," Trump said. "The person sitting at the front desk did a very good job."On Cindy Yang, who was selling access to Trump and his club: "Who is that?" |
| According to the Associated Press, however, the site is rife with security issues: | According to the Associated Press, however, the site is rife with security issues: |
| Nabil Erian, a former Marine and government counterintelligence officer, said guarding Mar-a-Lago is a ‘nightmare’. That’s because unlike previous presidential vacation homes like Ronald Reagan’s and George W. Bush’s ranches or George H.W. Bush’s seaside vacation home in Maine, Mar-a-Lago is open to members who pay $14,000 annual dues after a $100,000 or $200,000 initiation fee. They expect access to the facility and want to host their equally affluent guests — and they are used to getting their way”. | Nabil Erian, a former Marine and government counterintelligence officer, said guarding Mar-a-Lago is a ‘nightmare’. That’s because unlike previous presidential vacation homes like Ronald Reagan’s and George W. Bush’s ranches or George H.W. Bush’s seaside vacation home in Maine, Mar-a-Lago is open to members who pay $14,000 annual dues after a $100,000 or $200,000 initiation fee. They expect access to the facility and want to host their equally affluent guests — and they are used to getting their way”. |
| House Democrats have formally demanded Donald Trump’s tax returns from the Internal Revenue Service, marking a major bid to obtain information about the president’s finances and business dealings. | House Democrats have formally demanded Donald Trump’s tax returns from the Internal Revenue Service, marking a major bid to obtain information about the president’s finances and business dealings. |
| Richard Neal, the chairman of the House ways and means committee, issued the request on Wednesday evening, stating: “It is critical to ensure the accountability of our government and elected officials.” | Richard Neal, the chairman of the House ways and means committee, issued the request on Wednesday evening, stating: “It is critical to ensure the accountability of our government and elected officials.” |
| “I today submitted to IRS Commissioner [Charles] Rettig my request for six years of the president’s personal tax returns as well as the returns for some of his business entities,” Neal wrote. | “I today submitted to IRS Commissioner [Charles] Rettig my request for six years of the president’s personal tax returns as well as the returns for some of his business entities,” Neal wrote. |
| Mueller report: House committee approves subpoenas for full version | Mueller report: House committee approves subpoenas for full version |
| “We have completed the necessary groundwork for a request of this magnitude and I am certain we are within our legitimate legislative, legal, and oversight rights. | “We have completed the necessary groundwork for a request of this magnitude and I am certain we are within our legitimate legislative, legal, and oversight rights. |
| “This request is about policy, not politics; my preparations were made on my own track and timeline, entirely independent of other activities in Congress and the administration,” he added. | “This request is about policy, not politics; my preparations were made on my own track and timeline, entirely independent of other activities in Congress and the administration,” he added. |
| “My actions reflect an abiding reverence for our democracy and our institutions, and are in no way based on emotion of the moment or partisanship. I trust that in this spirit, the IRS will comply with Federal law and furnish me with the requested documents in a timely manner.” | “My actions reflect an abiding reverence for our democracy and our institutions, and are in no way based on emotion of the moment or partisanship. I trust that in this spirit, the IRS will comply with Federal law and furnish me with the requested documents in a timely manner.” |
| Trump refused to release his tax returns in the 2016 campaign – breaking with a nearly 40-year precedent of major-party presidential candidates. | Trump refused to release his tax returns in the 2016 campaign – breaking with a nearly 40-year precedent of major-party presidential candidates. |
| In testimony before Capitol Hill last month, the president’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, alleged that Trump inflated his assets to banks and insurance companies. | In testimony before Capitol Hill last month, the president’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, alleged that Trump inflated his assets to banks and insurance companies. |
| Democrats are seeking Trump’s tax returns from 2013 to 2018. | Democrats are seeking Trump’s tax returns from 2013 to 2018. |
| Republicans used the politically controversial “nuclear option” today — changing the Senate rules with a majority vote —fast-tracking confirmation of Trump’s nominees by bypassing debate from minority opposition. | Republicans used the politically controversial “nuclear option” today — changing the Senate rules with a majority vote —fast-tracking confirmation of Trump’s nominees by bypassing debate from minority opposition. |
| This vote today was a pretty big deal. Trump will probably get a lot more judges as a result of the sped up confirmations. Maybe dozens. There may not be many vacancies for Democrats at the District level, and McConnell already filled almost all the Circuit Courts. | This vote today was a pretty big deal. Trump will probably get a lot more judges as a result of the sped up confirmations. Maybe dozens. There may not be many vacancies for Democrats at the District level, and McConnell already filled almost all the Circuit Courts. |
| As Politico reports, the Senate voted 51-48 to cut debate times for executive nominees: | As Politico reports, the Senate voted 51-48 to cut debate times for executive nominees: |
| McConnell trashed Democrats’ ‘systematic obstruction’ as he stumped for his effort on the Senate floor. His move is particularly consequential in divided government when much of the Senate’s time is now spent confirming executive nominees and lifetime judicial appointments. Under the change, debate time on District Court nominees and subcabinet executive nominees is slashed from 30 hours to 2 hours, a shift that will allow Republicans to fill dozens more vacancies over the coming months”. | McConnell trashed Democrats’ ‘systematic obstruction’ as he stumped for his effort on the Senate floor. His move is particularly consequential in divided government when much of the Senate’s time is now spent confirming executive nominees and lifetime judicial appointments. Under the change, debate time on District Court nominees and subcabinet executive nominees is slashed from 30 hours to 2 hours, a shift that will allow Republicans to fill dozens more vacancies over the coming months”. |
| McConnell contends that the legislative filibuster, which empowers the minority party to block a vote on new laws, is essential to the Senate trying to assuage fears that this could set the precedent for its end. But, he said, it was time to end “systematic obstruction”. | McConnell contends that the legislative filibuster, which empowers the minority party to block a vote on new laws, is essential to the Senate trying to assuage fears that this could set the precedent for its end. But, he said, it was time to end “systematic obstruction”. |
| Democrats were quick to sound the alarm on the issue, including Senator Michael Bennet who called the move “a travesty” from the Senate floor. Bennet also highlighted McConnell’s apparent hypocrisy. | Democrats were quick to sound the alarm on the issue, including Senator Michael Bennet who called the move “a travesty” from the Senate floor. Bennet also highlighted McConnell’s apparent hypocrisy. |
| “He led the most famous blockade that’s ever happened in the Senate. And that was the blockade he led of Merrick Garland,” he said referring to McConnell. “It was shameful”. | “He led the most famous blockade that’s ever happened in the Senate. And that was the blockade he led of Merrick Garland,” he said referring to McConnell. “It was shameful”. |
| Today the @senatemajldr changed the rules for partisan gain and chipped away yet again at our institutions. We must rise above this and preserve the independence of our judiciary. pic.twitter.com/LOp8hxokho | Today the @senatemajldr changed the rules for partisan gain and chipped away yet again at our institutions. We must rise above this and preserve the independence of our judiciary. pic.twitter.com/LOp8hxokho |
| Gabrielle Canon here, taking over for Erin Durkin. | Gabrielle Canon here, taking over for Erin Durkin. |
| House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings told reporters today, that Mazars USA, a tax accounting firm that has over 10 years of Trump’s financial documents has agreed to turn them over to the committee if they receive a subpoena, Politico reports. | House Oversight Chairman Elijah Cummings told reporters today, that Mazars USA, a tax accounting firm that has over 10 years of Trump’s financial documents has agreed to turn them over to the committee if they receive a subpoena, Politico reports. |
| Initially, Cummings had requested the statements in a letter sent to the firm last month, but Mazars replied that laws and rules barred them from complying without a subpoena. | Initially, Cummings had requested the statements in a letter sent to the firm last month, but Mazars replied that laws and rules barred them from complying without a subpoena. |
| Per the letter Mazars sent Oversight, they weren't exactly asking for a subpoena but did lay out several laws & rules that barred them from turning over Trump's financial info UNLESS they get one“Mazars cannot voluntarily turn over the documents."https://t.co/oPi6SfbgZq https://t.co/RSOOfDu8FQ | Per the letter Mazars sent Oversight, they weren't exactly asking for a subpoena but did lay out several laws & rules that barred them from turning over Trump's financial info UNLESS they get one“Mazars cannot voluntarily turn over the documents."https://t.co/oPi6SfbgZq https://t.co/RSOOfDu8FQ |
| “The accounting firm told us that they will respond, and they just want a subpoena,” the Cummings told reporters, promising that the subpoena will soon be issued. | “The accounting firm told us that they will respond, and they just want a subpoena,” the Cummings told reporters, promising that the subpoena will soon be issued. |
| The House inquiry into the President’s finances gained momentum after Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, shared three years of the financial statements, prepared by Mazars USA. After Cohen’s testimony, the committee had elevated concerns about Trump’s assets and debts, and whether they were accurately accounted. | The House inquiry into the President’s finances gained momentum after Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, shared three years of the financial statements, prepared by Mazars USA. After Cohen’s testimony, the committee had elevated concerns about Trump’s assets and debts, and whether they were accurately accounted. |
| The House Judiciary Committee voted to authorize a subpoena for special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee also said it was “inevitable” Mueller would be called to testify before Congress. | The House Judiciary Committee voted to authorize a subpoena for special counsel Robert Mueller’s full report. The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee also said it was “inevitable” Mueller would be called to testify before Congress. |
| Former Vice President Joe Biden promised he would “be more mindful about respecting personal space” after several women said his touching made them feel uncomfortable. | Former Vice President Joe Biden promised he would “be more mindful about respecting personal space” after several women said his touching made them feel uncomfortable. |
| Several Democratic presidential candidates spoke on the first day of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network convention, expressing openness to the idea of reparations for slavery. | Several Democratic presidential candidates spoke on the first day of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network convention, expressing openness to the idea of reparations for slavery. |
| Get a new perspective on the US. Sign up for the morning briefing. | Get a new perspective on the US. Sign up for the morning briefing. |
| A group of CEOs warned Donald Trump that shutting the US-Mexico border would do serious damage to the economy. | A group of CEOs warned Donald Trump that shutting the US-Mexico border would do serious damage to the economy. |
| “Shutting down the U.S-Mexico border or slowing cross-border trade would severely damage the operations of American businesses and hurt American workers,” the Business Roundtable wrote in a letter, the Hill reports. “Closing the border would back up thousands of trucks, impact billions of dollars of goods each day, cripple supply chains and stall U.S. manufacturing and business activity.” | “Shutting down the U.S-Mexico border or slowing cross-border trade would severely damage the operations of American businesses and hurt American workers,” the Business Roundtable wrote in a letter, the Hill reports. “Closing the border would back up thousands of trucks, impact billions of dollars of goods each day, cripple supply chains and stall U.S. manufacturing and business activity.” |
| Joe Biden, when he was a senator in 1977, was the only member of the Judiciary Committee to vote against the first black head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, and a black nominee for solicitor general, the Huffington Post reports. | Joe Biden, when he was a senator in 1977, was the only member of the Judiciary Committee to vote against the first black head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, and a black nominee for solicitor general, the Huffington Post reports. |
| Biden was adamantly opposed to busing to desegregate schools, and wanted two two nominees to firmly oppose a court-ordered integration plan in Wilmington, Delaware, which they declined to do. | Biden was adamantly opposed to busing to desegregate schools, and wanted two two nominees to firmly oppose a court-ordered integration plan in Wilmington, Delaware, which they declined to do. |
| Drew Days III was confirmed as head of the DOJ civil rights division and Wade McCree as solicitor general. | Drew Days III was confirmed as head of the DOJ civil rights division and Wade McCree as solicitor general. |
| The House Intelligence Committee has asked one of the top contractors for Donals Trump’s inauguration to provide it with documents about the event, the New York Times reports. | The House Intelligence Committee has asked one of the top contractors for Donals Trump’s inauguration to provide it with documents about the event, the New York Times reports. |
| The committee requested documents and an interview from Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a close friend of First Lady Melania Trump who planned parties around the inauguration. | The committee requested documents and an interview from Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a close friend of First Lady Melania Trump who planned parties around the inauguration. |
| It's not clear why the intelligence committee has gotten involved, but in the past it has said it would investigate any “financial or other leverage” that “foreign actors” might have over Mr. Trump and his administration. @maggieNYT @benprotess https://t.co/ciNX9b0znR | It's not clear why the intelligence committee has gotten involved, but in the past it has said it would investigate any “financial or other leverage” that “foreign actors” might have over Mr. Trump and his administration. @maggieNYT @benprotess https://t.co/ciNX9b0znR |