In the event not all Salt Lake Tribune readers are aware of it, Sen. Orrin Hatch has the power to begin the legal process presently existing that would force Trump to reveal his 2016 income tax returns. As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Hatch has always had the power to do so, but has stubbornly refused to use it. On Oct. 31, Sen. Ronald Wyden, D-Ore., confirmed that fact on national TV.
As we all know, inspection of Trump’s tax returns is the single best legal way for citizens to learn the truth about them. Hatch is the only one who can start the legal process of obtaining those returns. Wouldn’t you like to know why Hatch is stalling? Why does he support everything Trump wants? Is he afraid of Trump? Is he searching for political favors?
We already know Hatch has approved every single Trump Cabinet post selection, and that he is just hours away from confirming over 100 Trump national judicial posts. We also know he voted for the disastrous Trump/Republican “tax non-bill” without knowing all (if anything) is in it. Except, of course, that it would raise taxes on the middle class, slaughter health care for all citizens, and reward billionaires with truly gigantic tax cuts, among other callousness.
Most important, why is Hatch stalling on obtaining Trump’s tax returns? We citizens have the right to ask the senator that question. I’m hoping all voters will contact Hatch and do just that. Ask him.
John Dombek, Santa Clara