CALL TO ACTION #656: Trump’s Tax Returns Must Be Released to Congress (April 15, 2019)
TRUMP’S TAX RETURNS
MUST BE RELEASED TO CONGRESS
Today is Tax Day. What better time to demand release of Trump’s tax returns to Representative Neal, House Ways and Means Committee Chair?
Trump is the first presidential candidate in decades to refuse to release tax returns—and he continues resisting, despite public outcry.
Congress has the longstanding authority to review Trump’s tax returns in executive session:
- 1924 anti-corruption law—aimed at blocking the White House interference we’re seeing—requires the Treasury to furnish them at the request of lawmakers tasked with tax oversight
- No request has ever been refused
- Failure to comply punished by removal from office and possibly a 5-year prison sentence
Neal demanded the tax returns by April 10. He’s now outlined the scope of his committee’s investigation—possible illegal conduct before/during Trump’s presidency:
- undisclosed conflicts of interest affecting policy decisions
- possible emoluments clause violations
- accuracy of financial reports to the Office of Government Ethics
- and he has informed the IRS Commissioner that non-production by April 23 would be considered refusal
Transparency and accountability cannot be partisan issues. Efforts to bury Trump’s financial history by Mulvaney, Mnuchin, Rettig and Trump himself put democracy at risk.
Please follow Senator Wyden’s Tax Day Press Conference and ask our other Members of Congress to use all means available—including subpoenas and the courts—to ensure Trump’s tax returns can be analyzed by Congress for any wrongdoing.
Force the Release of Trump’s Tax Returns!
Democracy Demands Transparency!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
FOR WYDEN: Please thank Senator Wyden for speaking out on Tax Day to demand the release of Trump’s tax returns to Congress.
- Congress and the American people have the right to know if and how foreign governments or business interests are affecting government policies
- It is improper for the IRS, Treasury, or Justice to question Congress’ motivations in seeking these returns
- Please ask him to use his influence to continue getting media coverage and to do all that he can to force compliance with this demand—whether through subpoenas or court action. Thank you.”
FOR MERKLEY: Today is Tax Day and your constituents are showing their support for the House’s demand for Trump’s tax returns.
- Congress and the American people have the right to know if and how foreign governments or business interests are affecting government policies
- It is improper for the IRS, Treasury, or Justice to question Congress’ motivations in seeking these returns
- Please ask him to use his influence to continue getting media coverage and to do all that he can to force compliance with this demand—whether through subpoenas or court action. Thank you.”
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because . . .
. . . I will not accept the suppression of Trump’s tax returns. Please ask Greg Walden if he supports the Trump regime’s unlawful attempt to keep Congress from reviewing Trump’s returns in an executive session. The central question remains: DOES GREG WALDEN PUT HIDING HIS PARTY’S MISDEEDS ABOVE HIS OATH OF OFFICE?
Today is Tax Day and Greg’s constituents are showing their support for the House’s demand for Trump’s tax returns.
- Congress and the American people have the right to know if and how foreign governments or business interests are affecting government policies
- It is improper for the IRS, Treasury, or Justice to question Congress’ motivations in seeking these returns
- Please ask Greg to use his influence to do all he can to force compliance with our demand that Trump’s returns be released to Congress—whether through subpoenas or court action. His continuing silence is proof of his complicity. Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on our local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. Check out the following:
Earth Day Rally – Medford
April 22 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/earth-day-rally-medford/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Town Hall, Pam Marsh and Jeff Golden – Phoenix
April 27 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-town-hall-pam-marsh-and-jeff-golden-phoenix/
JUST ANNOUNCED: Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley – Jackson County Town Hall – Phoenix
April 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-u-s-senator-jeff-merkley-jackson-county-town-hall-phoenix/
SUBMIT EVENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE ORD2 INDIVISIBLE EVENT CALENDAR
Help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
SOURCES:
How a Spat Between Two Rich People Gave Congress The Power To Get Trump’s Tax Returns
Here’s the Law That Requires Mnuchin to Turn Over Trump’s Taxes, or Lose His Office and Go to Prison
House Chairman Says Treasury’s Reasons to Withhold Trump’s Tax Returns ‘Lack Merit’
The increasingly suspicious pattern behind Trump’s nominees
The Public Wants Trump’s Tax Returns
Donald Trump’s Tax Returns: What We Might Learn
Democrats cry foul over Mnuchin role in Trump tax return drama
