Senator John Kennedy slammed the Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal for his “dumb” attempt in requesting President Trump’s tax returns, saying that his means is only to “screw with the president.”
The Republican senator appeared on CNN’s “The Lead” on Friday, and defended President Trump after Neal demanded from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) six years of the president’s business and personal tax returns.
Richard Neal is arguing that they need to see how well the IRS is auditing all taxpayers, including the president.
“I can’t believe he really thinks the American people are going to fall for that,” Kennedy said in response to the claim. “It must really suck to be that dumb.”
“Look, this is very simple. Mr. Neal wants to screw with the president. He doesn’t think the president ought to be president. Well, you know, words can’t express how much I don’t care.” he continued.
“Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, has a duty to conduct oversight of departments and officials,” said Neal in a statement on Wednesday after sending the letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig. “The Ways and Means Committee in particular has a responsibility to conduct oversight of our voluntary Federal tax system and determine how Americans — including those elected to our highest office — are complying with those laws.”
“This is wildly dishonest,” Kennedy said. “This is thoroughly in bad faith. And I don’t blame the president for pushing back.”
On Thursday, Kennedy told CNN that he “would like to” see President Trump’s tax returns but believes he has “legitimate reason” in not releasing them.
However, Trump responded to the request and told reporters at the White House that he is currently under audit.
“We’re under audit despite what people said, and we’re working that out as — I’m always under audit it seems, but I’ve been under audit for many years because the numbers are big, and I guess when you have a name, you’re audited, but until such time as I’m not under audit, I would not be inclined to do that,” said President Trump.
