President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to block a subpoena for his tax returns, in a test of the president’s ability to defy investigations.

The filing Thursday sets the stage for a high court showdown over the tax returns President Trump has refused to release. The justices also could weigh in more broadly on the president’s claim that sitting presidents can’t be prosecuted or investigated for crimes.

Lower courts have so far rejected Trump’s claims of immunity.




Trump wants the court to decide the case by late June, under a deal to keep the district attorney from enforcing the subpoena in the meantime. The justices may not decide whether to hear the case for at least another month.

A second, similar case is headed to the court over a House committee subpoena demanding Trump’s financial records from the same accounting firm. The president has lost both cases at each step of the judicial system so far.

The Mazars USA firm has said it will comply with the subpoenas, if courts agree.

Trump asks Supreme Court to block subpoena of his tax returns 1

 

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