The federal courts are stepping into a prominent role in deciding whether the Trump administration can wall out requests by Congress and others for information regarding President Donald Trump’s Russia connection, financial dealings and alleged obstruction of justice. Transparency got a boost Monday from U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta who ruled that President Donald Trump’s accountant had to submit Trump’s financial records to the House Oversight Committee. Mehta rejected arguments that the quest for the records served no legitimate legislative function. (The New York Times, May 20, 2019, by Charlie Savage and Nicholas Fandos)
Another federal district judge ordered last week that the Justice Department must release to the public a voice mail between Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The conversation was redacted in the Mueller report and could be key in understanding the extent of Trump collusion with Russia. (Washington Examiner, May 16, 2019, by John Gage)
Trump sued in federal court asking a judge to scuttle subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capital One to turn over his bank records. The court will hear arguments on May 22 over a preliminary injunction. Trump is claiming that Congress is overreaching in investigating the private financial records without valid purpose. (Bloomberg News, May 16, 2019, by Bob Van Voris)
The battle between Congress and Trump wages on over the right of Congre