Politics

Trump appeals judge's decision upholding Democrats' subpoena for financial records, setting up an early legal test in his battle with Congress

Key Points
  • President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a decision from a federal judge upholding a subpoena issued by a congressional committee seeking information about Trump's finances.
  • The move, which was expected, has set up an early legal test of the president's strategy of fighting off congressional oversight by rejecting the legitimacy of subpoenas he argues are motivated by politics.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images

President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a decision from a federal judge upholding a subpoena issued by a congressional committee seeking information about Trump's finances.

The move, which was expected, has set up an early legal test of the president's strategy of fighting off congressional oversight by rejecting the legitimacy of subpoenas he argues are motivated by politics.

Why Rep. Nadler thinks 'the courts will decide against the President' as he fights subpoenas
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Nadler thinks 'the courts will decide against the President'

In a filing, Trump's attorneys wrote that they intend to challenge "all aspects" of U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta's Monday order granting the House Oversight Committee broad investigative powers.

The committee's subpoena sought information from the accounting firm Mazars related to Trump's financial documents.

The president signaled Monday evening that he intended to appeal the order, calling it "crazy" and accusing Mehta of partisan motives.

"It's totally the wrong decision [by an] Obama-appointed judge," Trump said.

Now the case will move to a federal appeals court in Washington. After that stage, the next step is the Supreme Court, if the justices agree to hear the case.

WATCH: The saga of Trump's taxes

The saga of Trump's taxes
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The saga of Trump's taxes