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Trumpv.Mazars Usa, Llp

CourtSupreme Court of the United States
Docket No.19-715
DecidedJuly 9, 2020
Reporter591 U.S. 848
JudgesSupreme Court of the United States
Tags
CivilConstitutional LawConstitutional InterpretationSeparation of PowersCivil ProcedureFederal JurisdictionDissentLandmark Ruling
Case Summary

Three House committees subpoenaed financial records from banks and the President’s accounting firm concerning President Donald Trump, his family, and affiliated businesses. The President challenged the subpoenas, arguing that Congress had exceeded its legislative authority and that the requests violated separation-of-powers principles. The Supreme Court of the United States vacated the judgments enforcing the subpoenas and remanded. The Court held that congressional subpoenas directed to a sitting President’s personal papers require careful judicial review of legislative purpose, breadth, and burden. It identified several considerations for the lower courts, including whether the subpoena advances a valid legislative objective, whether it is no broader than reasonably necessary, whether the requested records are uniquely available from the President, and whether the burden on the President is justified. The Court rejected both the lower courts’ insufficiently demanding approaches and the President’s proposed categorical rule. Several justices concurred or dissented over the governing standard and the adequacy of the remand.

Opinion

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Trump V. Mazars Usa, Llp — The Atlanta Gleaner