By Charlotte Calick
During the Trump years we were all subject to a lot of noise. Charlottesville, tax cuts for the rich, impeachment, kids in cages, Vladimir Putin.
There were, however, three important questions that were always present. First, judges. In his four years Trump appointed several conservative judges, three to the U.S. Supreme Court. What would be their impact on the judiciary? Second, Trump’s tax returns: what did he not want us to see and why? Finally, Cyrus Vance Jr.: what crimes could the Manhattan District Attorney be looking into?
Last week, all three stories collided into one another.
The United States Supreme Court finally ruled that the former president must turn over his tax records to the Manhattan District Attorney as the city investigates possible tax fraud and financial crimes. Trump’s lawyers have exhausted all possible appeals and the court’s decision is final. As a result, Mazars USA, Trump’s accountants, have complied with the ruling and provided over a million financial documents to Vance and his office.
This ruling, however, may not be the exact outcome the public is expecting.
Although furious about the decision, Trump actually won. He knew this was going to be the likely outcome, but he was able to delay the decision until after he left the White House. He did not want this to be hanging over his head while he was still president. The delay also has an effect on his opponent. Most insiders believe Vance will not seek another turn as Manhattan D.A. Will the next D.A. still be looking to file charges?
We may never know what is in those records. Documents provided to a NY grand jury are sealed. It would be a crime to share any information in those documents with the public. Did Trump understate his assets? Did he illegally pay off women to keep their relationships a secret? Is he worth much less than he wants us to believe? Did he really only pay $750 in taxes?
If you are in the camp of wanting to see the returns, then your only hope is that Vance files charges. If there is a trial, then the documents become evidence and that evidence can be shared with the public.
If nothing else, Donald Trump has been lucky, deserving of the nickname “Teflon Don.” But most luck eventually runs out and Trump is up against a very worthy opponent in Vance. All eyes will be on this epic battle.
