New York Times scoop: Concern over legality of obtaining Trump tax returns

President Donald Trump’s allies are calling for a criminal investigation of The New York Times reporters for breaking the law in reporting on the president’s tax returns. One such ally cites 216 U.S. Code7213 that says it’s illegal to disclose tax returns. But while it is possible that the information was leaked illegally, the Times reporters are unlikely to suffer any legal repercussions. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that the First Amendment protected reporters who passed on illegally intercepted communications by third parties. (Law & Crime, September 28, 2020, by Matt Naham)

House Republicans are asking for an investigation of the sources of the story in the Times. Kevin Brady of Texas said, “To ensure every American is protected against the illegal release of their tax returns for political reasons, I am calling for an investigation of the source and to prosecute if the law was broken.” (The Hill, September 28, 2020, by Justine Coleman)

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa worried that the tax records would be used to influence the election and opposes an investigation of the tax returns in the Senate. The law allows congressional committees concerned with taxes to obtain returns so long as it results in legislation. (The Hill, September 29, 220, by Alexander Bolton)

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