WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts is ordering an indefinite delay in the House of Representatives’ demand for President Donald Trump’s financial records to give the Supreme Court time to figure out how to handle the high-stakes dispute.
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Roberts’ order Monday contains no hint about what the court ultimately will do.
The court’s hold could last a matter of days or weeks, if the court is willing to let an appeals court ruling in favor of the House remain in place without granting full review of the case. But the delay could extend for months if the justices decide they need to hear arguments and issue a written opinion.
Earlier Monday, the House said it would agree to a brief halt for the orderly filing of legal briefs, while opposing any lengthy delay. Those written arguments will give the justices a basis to decide whether they will jump into the tussle between Congress and the president.
Last week, Trump made an emergency appeal to ask the Supreme Court to block the enforcement of a subpoena issued by a House committee to Trump’s accountants. The House has until Thursday to respond, Roberts said.
The high court has a separate pending request from Trump to block a subpoena from a New York prosecutor for Trump’s tax returns.
The justices next meet in private on Friday and could discuss what to do with the House subpoena. Without some intervention by the high court, a ruling by the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., in favor of the House was set to take effect Wednesday.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform would have been able to try to enforce the subpoena to the Mazars USA accounting firm.
Good to know we will get a ruling on this quickly.
According to James Madison (ever hear of him?) Abuse of Power is an IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE. Its not in the criminal code but seeking dirt on a political opponent by withholding foreign aid is an overt abuse of power and IMPEACHABLE AND REMOVEABLE. Where’s Roger Stain tonite?
Finally some justice ! You dems ain’t getting your fat hands on those returns before elections . Too bad
Typical delays asst this level last days or weeks. If they decide to take on the case and ask for evidence then will last several months.
The supreme courtis tilted conservative at the time. I doubt the left lining judges at this level could establish a witch hunt oremit retaliatory judgment like lower courts do every day
They have to issue a stay because they can’t rule once thecrerurns are handed over because a court cannot rule on a matter that is ready moot.
This will take a while.