President Trump and the Trump Organization are suing House Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings to stop subpoenas for financial information from the president’s businesses. Mr. Trump filed the lawsuit Monday morning in D.C. District Court, after Cummings authorized subpoenas for Mazars USA LLP, the president’s longtime accountant, along with a few Trump entities.
In his complaint, Mr. Trump claims Congress only has oversight power insofar as it relates to producing legislation. The complaint reads: “Chairman Cummings has ignored the constitutional limits on Congress’ power to investigate. Article I of the Constitution does not contain an ‘Investigations Clause’ or an ‘Oversight Clause.’ It gives Congress the power to enact certain legislation. Accordingly, investigations are legitimate only insofar as they further some legitimate legislative purpose.”
The president and his businesses also filed for a temporary restraining order, and urged for a shorter time for Cummings to respond. = Mr. Trump’s attorney in the case, William Consovoy, is also representing him in the fight over the president’s tax returns. The Trump Organization, the Trump Corporation, the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, and the Trump Old Post Office LLC are also plaintiffs in the president’s lawsuit.
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