The United States (U.S.) Supreme Court has ruled that a New York grand jury can subpoena President Donald Trump’s tax returns and other financial records.

In the seven to two ruling on Thursday, the court said the president was not “absolutely immune from state criminal subpoenas seeking his private papers.”

It stated that Trump was also not “entitled to a heightened standard of need.”

The president’s lawyers had submitted that an incumbent U.S. president should be immune to a criminal investigation.

Analysts say the decision is a big blow to the administration, and has set the stage for fierce partisan battle ahead of the November election.

The ruling could give prosecutors access to records of Trump’s business dealings, which the president fought hard to protect since he assumed office in 2016.

It also promises to pose a huge challenge to the president’s re-election bid.

Trump’s financial record is already becoming a big issue in the run up to the polls.

Supporters of presumed Democratic Party Candidate, Joe Biden, are asking him to make the release of the tax returns a condition to face Trump in impending debates.

However, the apex court came short of granting the Manhattan District Attorney’s request to directly access the president’s financial records, throwing it back to a lower court.

Trump immediately reacted to the ruling, describing it as a “political prosecution” and “prosecutorial misconduct.”

“The Supreme Court sends case back to lower court, arguments to continue. This is all a political prosecution.

“I won the Mueller witch-hunt and others, and now I have to keep fighting in a politically corrupt New York. Not fair to this presidency or administration,” he said.

See also Makinde sacks Works Commissioner, swaps two others …as gov appreciates his contributions Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has relieved the Commissioner for Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Raphael Afonja of his appointment. The governor, in a letter dated August 10, 2020 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, said the termination takes immediate effect. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the letter titled “Termination of appointment” as saying: “I wish to convey the approval of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, on the termination of your appointment as Honourable Commissioner, with immediate effect. “Consequent upon the above development, you are hereby directed to hand over all the government items in your possession to the Permanent Secretary (Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Transport). “I am to add that, your contribution within the time of your sojourn is appreciated and commendable, and therefore, wish you successes in your future endeavours. I thank you." In another development, the governor has also approved the redeployment of two Commissioners, who were asked to swap portfolios. An internal memo signed by the SSG with the subject: "Redeployment of EXCO members" indicated that the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal, has been moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, while his counterpart who was manning that Ministry, Hon. Funmilayo Orisadeyi, is to move to the Ministry of Special Duties. The memo indicated that the redeployment takes immediate effect. Signed: Taiwo Adisa Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde August 10, 2020.

Meanwhile, the court in another 7-2 ruling, blocked the U.S. House of Representatives’ request to access the same information.

Citing concerns over separation of powers, the court asked for more specific reasons for the House’s demands, and also referred the case to a lower court.

One of Trump’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, said the legal team would continue to fight both cases in the lower courts.

“We are pleased that in the decisions issued today, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked both Congress and New York prosecutors from obtaining the President’s financial records.

“We will now proceed to raise additional constitutional and legal issues in the lower courts,” Sekulow said

News served as it breaks!

Supreme Court rules prosecutors can subpoena Trump’s financial records; blocks Congress

The United States (U.S.) Supreme Court has ruled that a New York grand jury can subpoena President Donald Trump’s tax returns and other financial records.

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