Trump sues California over law forcing presidential candidates to hand over tax returns
President and his party argues law requiring presidential and gubernatorial candidates to release their tax returns violates the US Constitution
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign and the Republican Party have sued California over its new law requiring political candidates to release their tax returns before running in the state primaries.
One of the suits contends California’s law is “a naked political attack against the sitting President of the United States.”
The law signed last week by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is aimed at prying loose the president's tax returns, which he has refused to release, saying they are under audit.
California’s law requires candidates for president and governor to release five years of tax returns to appear on the state’s primary ballot.
It does not include a similar requirement for the general election.
California holds its 2020 presidential primary on 3 March.
The lawsuits argue the law violates the US Constitution by creating an extra requirement to run for president and deprives citizens the right to vote for their chosen candidates.
The Constitution puts just three requirements on presidential candidates: That they are natural born citizens, 35 or older and a US resident for at least 14 years.
Mr Trump's counsel Jay Sekulow called the law “flagrantly illegal,” and said voters already spoke in 2016 on whether Trump should release his tax returns.
“The effort to deny California voters the opportunity to cast a ballot for President Trump in 2020 will clearly fail,” Mr Sekulow told the Associated Press.
At least two other lawsuits have already been filed.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments