Thread by @kurteichenwald

1. In refusing to turn over Trump tax returns to Congress, @stevenmnuchin1 has established that the administration doesnt believe "shall" means "shall." It means "shall with exceptions."

Okey-doke. Let's accept that. And refuse concealed carry licenses all across the country...

@stevenmnuchin1 2...you see, when "shall" no longer means "shall," all sorts of laws get wrapped up in it. The Treasury "shall" give any tax return requested by Congress. That's the law.

Just like it's the law of many states that they "shall" give anyone seeking a gun license to carry...

@stevenmnuchin1 3...a concealed weapon if they pass basic qualifications. Under those rules, there can be no discretion by the licensor, no matter what. The license must be given. There does not need to be a good-faith demonstration on part of applicant. They can be planning murder but...

@stevenmnuchin1 4...that will be okay, so long as they don't say it. Even if the state is uncomfortable, nope. Gotta give em a license.

So now as Trumpers cheer this obvious perversion of law regarding turning over tax records, when they nod happily that "shall" does not mean "shall"....

@stevenmnuchin1 5...and if the Supreme Court does rule that "shall" does not mean "shall" - as they might given how reality is now manipulated by these people - there should be lawsuits filed in every shall-issue state in the country, declaring that, since the court has rules "shall" means...

@stevenmnuchin1 6..."shall, unless the requester doesn't provide a reason we like," that shall-issue now must include discretion so licenses can be judged on basis of the reason the gun owner wants to carry. And if the licenser isn't satisfied - well, "shall" does not mean "shall." Deny it.