As we march towards Tax Day, April 15, we are once again calling on President Donald Trump to release his tax returns.
As a candidate, President Trump promised to release his returns once an ongoing audit was complete. Presidential candidates have voluntarily disclosed their tax returns since the Watergate scandal ushered in an era of greater transparency. President Trump, whose past as a businessman includes a string of bankruptcies and a $25 million settlement compensating students who said they had been defrauded by Trump University, has chosen to buck this trend, is it because he has something to hide?
Being able to view a candidate’s tax returns, as has been done for the past 40 years, allows the public to know if the candidate follows the law, is accurate in his or her statements about his or her finances, and pays taxes, as we all must. Reneging on this promise means we cannot trust statements that are made and suggests that the individual has something to hide. It is important to us that we see Mr. Trump’s tax returns. Even now.
Releasing the returns would provide important insight into President Trump’s finances and businesses. They would reveal if he is as wealthy as he claims to be, what his effective income tax rate is (he said during the campaign that not paying taxes meant he was smart) and how much he gives to charity. The documents would also identify the sources of his income and debt, helping to answer questions about his links to businessmen, banks and governments in places like Russia and the Middle East, and putting a spotlight on potential conflicts of interest.
Mr. Trump’s refusal to release his returns was deeply suspicious during the campaign, and it’s indefensible now that he’s in power. The only logical conclusion is that the candidate who pledged to clean up Washington is hiding damaging information about his past.
Pat Campanaro
Arrowhead Indivisible
Grand Marais
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