Federal Judge Refuses To Delay Subpoenas For President Trump's Tax Returns

A federal judge in New York on Friday declined to allow Donald Trump to delay an order requiring the president to turn his tax and financial records over to Manhattan prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero on Thursday rejected claims by Trump that subpoenas for his records from his accountants Mazars USA were issued in bad faith and were overbroad. The Supreme Court had ruled earlier that Trump did not enjoy any special immunity from investigation simply because he’s the president.

Trump requested the delay, claiming he would suffer “irreparable harm” if he wasn’t given time to appeal. Trump filed an emergency appeal.

"The court is not persuaded that appellate review would be successful in any event. This argument cannot suffice to show irreparable harm," Marrero wrote.

Trump has called the investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. a “witch hunt” and “fishing expedition.” Vance is investigating hush money payments during the 2016 presidential race to two women who alleged they had affairs with Trump. Vance has suggested the investigation goes beyond the hush money to a broader look at the Trump Organization. The subpoenas seek personal and business records, including tax returns dating to 2011.

Vance is trying to determine whether the hush money payments violated election laws. The investigation also seeks to determine whether businesses records filed with the state were falsified and whether tax laws were violated.

Trump said after Thursday’s ruling he expects the case to wind up back in front of the Supreme Court and called the subpoenas a “continuation of the most disgusting witch hunt in the history of our country.”

Trump is the first modern president to refuse to release his tax returns despite promises he would do so after the 2016 election.

Several House committees also are pursuing Trump’s tax records.