Nichols’s 19-page decision and order came one week after the judge dismissed New York state officials from the lawsuit, which sought to bar the House from requesting and state officials from turning over Trump’s returns using New York’s Trust Act, signed by Gov. ADADThe law allows New York tax officials to release Trump’s state tax returns to three House committees, provided that the state officials receive requests “in furtherance of a legitimate task of Congress.”New York tax officials had agreed not to turn over Trump’s records any sooner than seven days after Nichols ruled on whether the Trump lawsuit should be heard before him or before a federal judge in New York. Nichols concluded the latter on Nov. 11, dismissing the New York defendants and setting the seven-day clock running. “The Supreme Court has repeatedly made clear that courts lack the power to do what Mr. Trump asks,” Letter wrote. ADBarring lawmakers from even requesting Trump’s state returns would appear to mark the first time any court overrode Congress’s freedom to conduct legislative work, even before lawmakers have taken any action, Letter said.

Source: Washington Post November 18, 2019 21:56 UTC