Trump tax returns lawsuit tests Congress’ investigative powers

House Democrats went to court Tuesday to ask a judge to order the Trump administration to turn over President Trump’s tax returns, starting a legal fight that could go a long way toward settling how much power Congress has to probe the president.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal, Massachusetts Democrat, said he was fed up with the Treasury Department’s stonewalling of a subpoena issued nearly two months ago demanding to see six years of returns from Mr. Trump personally and from eight of his companies.

The move thrilled activists who had been wondering about the delay and troubled Republicans who said it “weaponizes the tax code” for political purposes.

Mr. Neal said he needs to see the returns to judge whether the IRS is following its own guidance about auditing presidents. Other Democrats say they want to see the information because they believe it contains embarrassing information.

The Treasury Department and IRS, suspecting the latter explanation is the true motive, said they wouldn’t comply with Mr. Neal’s subpoena. They offered briefings and other information on their audit practices if that is what Mr. Neal is trying to learn.

But they said tax returns must be shielded for privacy reasons.

Now the issue heads to the courts

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