ACLU on SCOTUS Rulings Demanding Trump Comply with Subpoenas, Turn Over Financial Documents

July 9, 2020 10:45 am

Media Contact
125 Broad Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
United States

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that President Trump has no immunity from grand jury subpoenas for his financial documents, and that Congress may also demand such records where appropriate. In both cases, the court rejected President Trump’s efforts to block subpoenas for his tax records and other financial documents.

David Cole, ACLU national legal director, said:

“The Supreme Court today confirmed that the president is not above the law. The court ruled that President Trump must follow the law, like the rest of us. And that includes responding to subpoenas for his tax records.

“The court’s 7-2 decisions in these cases send an important message that constitutional decisions must be decided by legal principle, not party loyalty. That Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch voted against President Trump, who appointed them, is an important reaffirmation of that principle.”

The ACLU submitted friend-of-the-court briefs arguing that the president is not above the law in the cases.

The brief for Trump v. Mazars/Trump v. Deutsche Bank AG is available online here: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/trump-v-mazarstrump-v-deutsche-bank-ag-aclu-amicus-brief

The brief for Trump v. Vance is available online here: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/trump-v-vance-aclu-amicus-brief

Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.

Learn More About the Issues in This Press Release