The midterms are not even over yet, but House Democrats have signaled that they are going to demand President Trump release his tax returns. With media outlets projecting the Dems are going to retake the House of Representatives, the party is apparently not waiting for the gavel to start making moves against the president. MSNBC's Ari Melber received the tip from Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee.
Democrats on the House Ways and Means committee plan to formally request Trump’s tax returns, per @AriMelber
— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) November 7, 2018
BREAKING: @AriMelber reports Democrats "intend to request President Trump's tax returns" if they take the House, as @NBCNews projects they will: pic.twitter.com/oC9QeeJiQ0
— TheBeat w/Ari Melber (@TheBeatWithAri) November 7, 2018
"We're seeing the ramifications of Democrats on these committees who have this kind of power," Melber said.
"The Democrats are coming out swinging tonight," he added. "They're not waiting. They're putting this marker down."
As Melber notes, this is something that does not require a Senate or even a full House vote.
An MSNBC panel analyzed the Democratic move, suggesting Trump should cooperate and release the tax returns. Contributor Stephanie Ruhle said Trump's tax loopholes are immoral and below the office of the presidency, but said Trump likes to suggest it's "clever" how he games the system.
Trump was asked about the possibility of Democrats demanding to see his tax returns earlier his week, and he responded pretty casually.
"I don’t care," he said. "They can do whatever they want and I can do whatever I want."
Melber told the MSBNC audience that his Democratic source told him Nancy Pelosi was "in" on the plan.