,
7 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
BREAKING A federal judge has denied President Trump’s bid to quash a House subpoena for years of his financial records from his accounting firm, and declined a request by the president’s lawyers to stay his order pending their appeal. STORY UPCOMING 
The ruling handed an initial defeat to Trump’s vow to defy subpoenas by House Democrats, and came in one of the first courtroom challenges to a series of lawmakers’ investigative demands for his bank records, accounting statements and tax returns.
U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta of DC refused to block the records request to Mazars USA from the House Oversight and Reform Committee while litigation continues. Lawyers for Trump and associated entities argued Congress is not entitled to investigate his past personal dealings
Mehta:“So long as Congress investigates on a subject matter on which 'legislation could be had' .,. It it is not for the court to question whether the Committee’s actions are truly motivated by political considerations.'
House Democrats claim that Trump’s records will help Congress consider strengthening ethics and disclosure laws and enforce a constitutional ban on a president accepting foreign gifts, claims Mehta found were "facially valid."
Mehta denied Trump lawyers' request to stay his order beyond the seven days both sides previously agreed to for an appeal, saying they "have not raised a 'serious legal question[] going to the merits,'"
The court found the public's interest in "maximizing the effectiveness of the investigatory powers of Congress" was greater than any harm to Trump or his businesses.
