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This is a pretty aggressive argument from DOJ, basically saying that Congress is lying about its purpose for wanting the president's tax returns and that as a result, the IRS need not provide them even though the statute doesn't require Congress to have *any* reason. 
DOJ's view of the law tracks pretty closely with what President Trump's private lawyers have argued in court: That Congress can't gather information unless it has a "legitimate legislative purpose," and just investigating wrongdoing doesn't count.
Two federal district courts pretty decisively rejected a similar argument when the president sued to block subpoenas for his financial records. Trump has appealed.
