A federal judge will hear arguments then on whether Trump can block the tax returns’ release. The scheduling development puts on ice for the foreseeable future one of two major ongoing court cases over access to Trump’s tax returns.
The Biden administration told Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee on the DC District Court, last week that the Treasury Department believes it should turn over Trump’s tax returns “promptly” to the House Ways and Means Committee. But the agency also agreed to hold off and allow Trump to argue against releasing the documents.
Trump’s team has argued against the release of the tax returns, alleging Democrats in the House were pursuing Trump for political reasons. Trump is asking the federal court to permanently block the Treasury Department from turning over his tax returns and to order Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal to “end all ongoing examinations” of Trump and his companies.
According to a brief court hearing on Monday, the Biden administration and the House committee will have a month to respond to Trump’s arguments — a typical amount of time in cases like these.
The arguments will take place on November 8, meaning McFadden won’t make any major decisions in the case before then.
The administration handing over the tax returns would be in line with the latest Justice Department policy.
The House has another pending court case where it is also seeking Trump’s tax records, from the accounting firm Mazars USA. The judge could rule any day in that case.
