Trump Says He Can’t Hand Over His Taxes—Because He’s “Immune”!
What the Lawyer Just Told the 2nd Circuit
In a courtroom drama that could rival a daytime soap, William Consovoy, Trump’s legal eagle, told the panel that the president enjoys a special cloak of criminal immunity while in office. He claimed the New York prosecutor team has no power to touch Trump’s tax returns. He even added, “If Trump were to shoot someone on 5th Avenue, the office wouldn’t even have the moral authority to investigate.”
All About That “Tax Return” Hunt
- Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance wants tax records from 2011‑2018 and corporate filings from Mazars USA. This is part of a broader probe that even the Justice Department says Vance needs a “heightened and particularized showing” of urgency.
- Trump’s lawyers argue the subpoena is a “fishing expedition” with no good faith, so it’s invalid.
- House Oversight Committees are mining for financial data from Deutsche Bank and Capital One, but that’s not the tax return front.
Why Trump’s “Immunity” Might Break After the Presidency
Consovoy pointed out his immunity ends the instant the president is out of office—so it’s a temporary shield. Meanwhile, prosecutors keep insisting that presidential immunity only covers the Act, not the tax record under criminal investigation.
Key Moments
- Judge Denny Chin asked if the prosecutor could act after a hypothetical shooting—Consovoy said “that’s correct.”
- Chief Judge Robert Katzmann hinted that a Supreme Court showdown could be on the horizon.
- The DOJ noted it’s unlikely Vance can show that immediate need for the returns, given the Constitution says states can’t prosecute a sitting president.
Wrap‑Up
Trump’s legal crew is blocking any attempt to dig into his finances, arguing that the president’s office is off limits until the next election. The courtroom is buzzing, and the next chapter may very well end up under the Supreme Court’s microscope. Stay tuned for the inevitable drama!
