In hearings before congressional committees this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent repeatedly has declined to answer questions about a settlement between President Donald Trump and the IRS that shields the president and his family from all existing tax audits.
Anticipating more stonewalling from Bessent in his Thursday testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., cited a 1962 Supreme Court ruling she said determined that ongoing litigation does not prevent someone from testifying in a congressional hearing.
“So once again, I’m going to ask, why are you allowing President Trump and his family to have complete immunity from being audited?” Sánchez asked.
“Again, since you’re a lawyer, you will understand that U.S. Treasury and the IRS are represented by the Justice Department and the acting attorney general,” Bessent replied.