The DoJ releases the memo we were promised in April backing SecTreas Mnuchin's refusal to cough up Trump's tax returns.
As I argued last May their argument was no doubt previewed in Mnuchin's 52 page letter of April 23 to House Chair Neal. However, I have yet to compare the two and, per the Times, a bit of legal water has passed under the bridge since April:
Mr. Engel’s argument that Congress lacked a legitimate legislative purpose in seeking Mr. Trump’s tax returns dovetailed closely with tracked arguments made by Mr. Trump’s legal team in lawsuits over congressional subpoenas to financial firms like Mazars USA for his financial records.
Two Federal District Court judges last month rejected that argument, refusing to block congressional subpoenas to such firms. One wrote that it was because Congress had put forth a valid argument for why it wanted them for legislative purposes and that it was “not for the court to question whether the committee’s actions are truly motivated by political considerations.” Mr. Trump is appealing the rulings.
One might wonder how the court can decline to assess the legitimacy of a Congressional legislative purpose in light of Watkins. My guess: In Watkins the Supreme Court found no legislative purpose was offered at all; in the current case, the Congress is offering a transparently pretextual one and daring the court to laugh out loud (OK, that is my humble editorial opinion).
Of course, the courts are often happy to swallow their whistle when the other two branches slug it out.
BONUS PEDANTRY: The Department of Redundancy Department loves the Times phrasing here:
Mr. Engel’s argument... dovetailed closely with tracked arguments made by Mr. Trump’s legal team".
This online publishing world moves so quickly - who has time to edit? Eventually that will get a correction but not a formal "Correction", being well within any gray/grey area. It took me a week to get this real one. Yeah, I keep score.
Yankees are in a big slump. Not good.
Posted by: peter | June 15, 2019 at 08:53 AM
Whatever happened to them, Peter, did Republicans ever subpoena Clinton's taxes
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 08:56 AM
It's called regression to the mean, and perhaps they will in the future, suggest you not hold your breath, narc
Posted by: peter | June 15, 2019 at 09:01 AM
Re the last thread, yes that is the simmering frog climate on campus.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:16 AM
You'll be shocked to know, that heike mass doesn't think the Iranians are involved
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:22 AM
The speed of photonic communications:
https://www.afcea.org/content/harnessing-photons-communications
Posted by: Melinda | June 15, 2019 at 09:25 AM
The tanker tale may require more seasoning, as in salt.
Posted by: Melinda | June 15, 2019 at 09:26 AM
So this guy thinks trump had created a climate of fear or something
https://las.depaul.edu/academics/political-science/faculty/Pages/david-lay-williams.aspx
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:28 AM
Well, it is Chicago.
Posted by: Melinda | June 15, 2019 at 09:29 AM
So holographic level projection them.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:31 AM
Nelinda,
Did you read that thread I linked about the tanker magnate?
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 09:32 AM
Hence, “salt”.
Posted by: Melinda | June 15, 2019 at 09:39 AM
Now vekselberg did pony up 500 k to Cohen, it ended up costing him 3 billion with the sanctions
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:40 AM
Posted by: joan | June 15, 2019 at 09:45 AM
--Hong Kong's embattled leader #CarrieLam says a divisive bill that would allow extraditions to China will be "suspended" in a major climbdown by her government...--
Pretty sure whether she is climbing up or down, it is Beijing's government that is holding the ladder, or not holding it, if she has the temerity to climb the wrong direction.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | June 15, 2019 at 09:49 AM
Chaos Actual
@actual_chaos
7h7 hours ago
The greatest threat we have today in this nation is people that side with Iran. These conspiracy theorist puppet the lies of “false flags” for the number one state sponsor of terrorism. It’s the most reprehensible thing I’ve ever seen.
=========================
You can start with John Kerry and include Diane Feinstein and the New York Times and Washington Post.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 09:53 AM
Yes I wondered about that, shes the tail not the dog.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 09:53 AM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
9m9 minutes ago
The Trump Economy is setting records, and has a long way up to go....However, if anyone but me takes over in 2020 (I know the competition very well), there will be a Market Crash the likes of which has not been seen before! KEEP AMERICA GREAT
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 09:55 AM
Elizabeth Warren is getting some flack from CNN.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 09:58 AM
Captain Hate
Do you remember Levin mentioning a writer that he didn't like during last night's show? He might have worked for The American Conservative. I bring it up because I've been reading a guy named Ron Unz lately and he used to be the publisher of TAC apparently: http://www.unz.com/runz/why-the-american-conservative-purged-its-own-publisher/#comments
Posted by: Pinandpuller | June 15, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Maybe the most consistently funny TWIP ever, I thought.
This comment was hilarious;
"--The tree Macron gave to Trump to symbolize friendship has died.--"
"--That shows more courage than anticipated. I'd have guessed it would surrender.--"
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | June 15, 2019 at 10:09 AM
While the Dems are landing an occasional blow on DJT, the Dem field for the primaries is still a hot mess.
Everyone running is a "stone cold loser".
If nothing else, next 10 months are going to be very entertaining.
Still renewing my lease on The Ledge:)
Posted by: Buckeye | June 15, 2019 at 10:11 AM
Put a gatling gun on the ledge though.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 10:13 AM
Roger that Narciso:)
Posted by: Buckeye | June 15, 2019 at 10:14 AM
Oh it's full Brando with extra electrolytes.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 10:20 AM
buck, glad you are feeling better. My son, who had major scoliosis related back fusion two years ago, got a great report from his surgeon this week, he is released from the doc's care.
Posted by: peter | June 15, 2019 at 10:21 AM
Pin,
I haven't listened to last night's podcast yet. There's nothing on his website to ID who he was talking about.
Posted by: Captain Hate | June 15, 2019 at 10:29 AM
Thanks to Christopher Wray, the Ledge has been taking advantage of its new 55" 4K HD television and the new Strata-Loungers. A perfect environment to watch the Democrat debates and the start of the NFL 2019 season.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 10:30 AM
-- I bring it up because I've been reading a guy named Ron Unz lately and he used to be the publisher of TAC apparently.--
Idiosyncratic and inconsistent are the terms I would use for the odd Mr Unz who first flitted across my radar screen 25 years ago when running for CA guvnuh.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | June 15, 2019 at 10:31 AM
Great news Peter!
So far my recovery is going better than expected.
Consider myself fortunate.
Posted by: Buckeye | June 15, 2019 at 10:33 AM
He just wanted to institute vouchers so the ended up with grey Davis, who is an artefact from one of those rob reiner movies of the late 90s.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 10:40 AM
Back from NYC. Had a great visit.
My 91 year old aunt does indeed have pink hair, but the tattoo probably isn’t going to happen.
My cousin is engaged to a total knockout who’s also really smart and very sweet (and from Alabama, so Beasts would approve) and she’s about 8 feet tall. Although it took him three years to realize she was the right girl, which speaks somewhat poorly for his judgment.
Now back to real life. Blah.
Posted by: James D. | June 15, 2019 at 10:48 AM
https://www.yahoo.com/news/mexico-publishes-trumps-secret-deal-migration-233202372.html
Posted by: clarice | June 15, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Link goes to transcripts of emails by the Dean of Students concerning the bakery in the Oberlin case. I think there is also a link to Legal Insurrection's site with a longer explanation.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 11:10 AM
Robot vid at link.
https://twitter.com/ritapanahi/status/1139696958199566336?s=21
Posted by: henry | June 15, 2019 at 11:11 AM
.

Posted by: JimNorCal | June 15, 2019 at 11:11 AM
.

Posted by: JimNorCal | June 15, 2019 at 11:12 AM
(Click to open.)
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Pouring down rain with thunder. Daggone it.
I am leaving in a bit to have lunch with a couple of friends. I have to get some gas, too.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 11:19 AM
Well. since I have to get gas I guess I had better leave now.
I will check in later this afternoon.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 11:20 AM
(Click to open.)
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 11:20 AM
Gillibrand: Pro-Life People Are Ineligible to Be Judges
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 11:54 AM
I would love to meet Ben Rhodes and beat him into a bloody pulp.
A WAR IS indeed COMING.
These motherfuckers need a severe beat down.
Posted by: GUS | June 15, 2019 at 11:54 AM
VIDEO: ICE Opens Transgender Housing Unit for Illegals – Teaches Self-Grooming, Provides Hormone Therapy on Taxpayer Dime
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 11:57 AM
Love the lures Ext, I bet they catch fish too. They say use dark colored lures on dark overcast days and bright flashy ones on sunny days. My all time favorite is the #44 Sutton Spoon from Naples NY, made mostly for trolling trout and salmon. A few years back, Sutton stopped making these famous lures and big bucks were paid on ebay for originals with Naples stamped on them. They started making them again recently which is good news for trout and salmon guys.
https://www.lakeontariounited.com/fishing-hunting/topic/70122-sutton-spoon-company/
Posted by: Rocco | June 15, 2019 at 12:02 PM
This may be the most awful way to buy the farm (die). I can't think of anything worse:)
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2019/06/14/two-die-being-trapped-in-septic-tank-in-shariatpur
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Jack, I just booked into Cinnamon Beach Condos for the Labor Day weekend - Thursday - Monday!
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | June 15, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Steph,
We will be bringing Frederick back to Canterbury for start of Football practice. Then Southampton until November when football closes. We go up on the weekend for the games.
Damn hot and humid today. No breeze. Ocean is at 76F already.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 12:49 PM
Well damn. You don't want to rent out the Florida property for that weekend do you? :)
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | June 15, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Update on the senior center kerfuffle from my bud who went to the Legion last night:
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | June 15, 2019 at 01:28 PM
Got the car back the repairs fot the replaced fender plus the headlights 400.
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 01:37 PM
https://dailycaller.com/2019/06/15/education-universities-foreign-cash/
Posted by: clarice | June 15, 2019 at 01:42 PM
That sounds like good news Narc, is it?
Posted by: Jane | June 15, 2019 at 01:44 PM
Clarice,
That's pretty amazing. The shit liberals are getting away with is never-ending.
Posted by: Jane | June 15, 2019 at 01:46 PM
Back from lumch.
My friend's neighbor texted her a picture of his rain gague - 2.3" as of 1:00 PM!!
Streets were flooding with water on the way home; I had to drive in the center lane most of the way to avoid throwing water up. Creeks are already overflowing.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 01:51 PM
https://twitchy.com/brads-313037/2019/06/15/the-democrat-party-debates-have-been-split-into-2-teams-and-you-can-color-us-confused-about-it-all/
What this shows us is that:
1. The democrats make everything way too complicated.
2. The democrats have no sense of humor.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 02:00 PM
I'm gonna batten down the hatches MM:)
Posted by: Buckeye | June 15, 2019 at 02:04 PM
Buckeye,
You'd better! It's a cold rain, too. I had the heater on in my car coming home and now I am considering dragging out my space heater for here in the bedroom.
Boy, is my daughter glad she mowed the grass last night!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 02:06 PM
Paul Sperry
@paulsperry_
16h16 hours ago
BREAKING: Washington Post is preparing an "in-depth" story on the mysterious Mifsud bylined by Shane Harris, who is good pals with Benjamin Wittes, Comey's top spinmeister
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 02:07 PM
Have they decided hes alive now,
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 02:09 PM
Narciso,
Who knows? I don't trust anything coming from the Post or anything connected to Comey.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 02:11 PM
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/06/08/350-congolese-migrants-arrive-in-san-antonio/
French-speaking, too. I forgot about the Congo speaking French.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 02:11 PM
MM,
Belgian French. Former Belgian colony.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 02:20 PM
Great, send them to Belgium.
Posted by: henry | June 15, 2019 at 02:23 PM
BREAKING: Washington Post is preparing an "in-depth" story on the mysterious Mifsud bylined by Shane Harris, who is good pals with Benjamin Wittes, Comey's top spinmeister
So it’s going to be a serving of lies and slander, with a side dish of treason. Lovely.
Posted by: James D. | June 15, 2019 at 02:27 PM
Angola is Portuguese speaking. Should be sent to Brazil and the Congolese to Quebec.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 02:27 PM
I sent out AB's link to Codevilla on AG yesterday. My bud who dug in deeper on the Legion mess posted this afterward:
Gettin' close, folks...
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | June 15, 2019 at 02:28 PM
Typepad ate my last comment--an endorsement of Thin Slim Foods bread, buns and bagels--available on Amazon and at Walmart.
Posted by: clarice | June 15, 2019 at 02:37 PM
While I'm throwing out War & Peace sized posts, let me do one last one:
Excerpted from Mauldin's newsletter — food for thought:
The Referees Suck
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | June 15, 2019 at 02:42 PM
Good afternoon! Many of the asylum seekers sent from San Antonio to Portland have already headed to Canada. Others may be resettled in Lewiston,because of the French speaking community. Yesterday Gov.Mills and Chellie Pingree-D (ME-1) met with city and state officials to discuss the influx of people.
Susan Collins and Angus King sent representatives from their offices. I guess they couldn't show up to deal with the crisis.
Posted by: Marlene | June 15, 2019 at 02:45 PM
By the way,the state and local officials have welcomed the asylum seekers with open arms. Maine needs a young and diverse population because the state is too white and too old and this solves the problem! So they say.
Posted by: Marlene | June 15, 2019 at 02:50 PM
I don't care what Michael Lewis says, the reffing in the NBA Finals was terrible. But at least it didn't change the ultimate outcome in any game imo. Also it's a difficult game to ref correctly.
Posted by: Captain Hate | June 15, 2019 at 02:57 PM
--2. The democrats have no sense of humor.--
Then why do they have 20+ jokes running for president?
Admittedly they're not very good jokes.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | June 15, 2019 at 03:22 PM
Pro tip: if you want to keep your BP down DO NOT read that long thread post on Twitchy about Oberlin and the administration’s complicity its harassment of that bakery. What an outrage. Good on the townies.
Posted by: lyle | June 15, 2019 at 03:26 PM
How is this "pride" parade not a CPS case for the parent of this poor kid?

If the parent took his/her kid down to meet the local flasher it sure as hell would be.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | June 15, 2019 at 03:35 PM
Retweeted by the President. Video at the link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 03:43 PM
Retweeted by the President. Link goes to a tweet.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 03:44 PM
Retweeted by the President. Link goes to a tweet by Katie Hopkins in London.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 03:46 PM
Retweeted by the President. Link goes to video with Greg Jarrett and 2 guests.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 03:48 PM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
44m44 minutes ago
The Corrupt News Media is totally out of control - they have given up and don’t even care anymore. Mainstream Media has ZERO CREDIBILITY - TOTAL LOSERS!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 03:48 PM
Tiger just bogeyed No. 7 which is playing at 98 yards today. That may be the strongest indication this US Open is not in the cards for him to win this year.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 03:57 PM
Our neighbor down the road graded the gravel road yesterday afternoon. His large chocolate lab (Ruger) follows the tractor down the road. Hubby waits for the neighbor at the end of our driveway with a beer and they talk. Our Scout really thinks he is as big and badass as Ruger. It is comical to watch the two of them play together. When Scout cries in his sleep at night,maybe he thinks he's Ruger. :)
Posted by: Marlene | June 15, 2019 at 04:02 PM
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-06-13/the-u-s-is-purging-chinese-americans-from-top-cancer-research
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 04:07 PM
What have we hete:
https://dailycaller.com/2019/06/14/stefan-halper-cambridge-spy-conference/
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 04:24 PM
Strike 2 or is it 3:
https://mobile.twitter.com/ZoeTillman/status/1139665599011966982
Posted by: Narciso79 | June 15, 2019 at 04:28 PM
The POTUS speaking about the MFM is right on target.
It is impossible to watch the clown show on CNN or MSNBC, watching the nancy boys and hard ass broads twist everything into ORANGE MAN BAD 24/7 and not recognize that these freaks are not right in the head. And you can tell just by looking at them.
On a related matter, the most accurate reporting that I see on a every day basis, is the LOVELY MISS MARPLE and her substitute the LOVELY HENRY.
Posted by: GUS | June 15, 2019 at 04:39 PM
The fact Dearlove and Halper are coming out of the shadows to attend a "spies only" conference tells me that they don't think Trump can drain the swamp or even come close.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 04:44 PM
Why, thank you GUS!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 04:59 PM
Either that or they realize it's not just going to blow over, like they were hoping.
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 05:06 PM
Hear hear! Without my JOM friends I ‘d be as lost and confused as the vast majority who rely on the MSM for information
Posted by: peter | June 15, 2019 at 05:08 PM
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/06/15/completely-erroneous-new-york-times-busted-for-fake-news-story-on-harriet-tubman-20-bill/
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 05:08 PM
Mark Lutchman
🇺🇸
@marklutchman
4m4 minutes ago
A lot of people are talking about a civil war. Here’s the problem.
One side has 8 billion bullets,
The other side can’t figure out which bathroom to use.
=============================
Hahahahaha!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 05:11 PM
Flightcrew
🇺🇸
@flightcrew
1m1 minute ago
For Those Coming To The Trump Rally In Orlando Florida on June 18, Parking Is Going To Be EXTREMELY LIMITED Downtown (Especially With The Adjacent Geico Parking Garage Being Closed For The President.) Please Consider Using Orlando's SunRail To Get Downtown.https://twitter.com/ridesunrail
Posted by: MissMarple2 | June 15, 2019 at 05:16 PM
Mentally ill border jumpers getting aided in their lunacy by THE PEOPLE of THE UNITED STATES. We are housing these criminals, we are feeding this mentally defective illegals, and we are giving them hormones so that the criminal illegals can pretend to be the opposite sex from what they actually are.
Then we are teaching these people, WHO CAME HERE FOR LOVE, how to groom themselves. Let me opine briefly......IF they don't know how to groom themselves, it would seem that they haven't thought this ADDADICTOMY thing through.
Posted by: GUS | June 15, 2019 at 05:32 PM
WaPo Hits New Low: Takes Disgusting Parting Shot at Sarah Sanders: Lying “Queen of Gaslighting”
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 05:36 PM
Several pundits have noted a new media echo chamber in which Sen Liz Warren is said to have a solution for this and a solution for that.
This piece argues that key Dems are concluding a Warren/ButtGuy ticket is the best choice. Does the composition of the two Dem debate groups reveal anything?
h/t BJG
Did NBC/DNC manipulate debate lineup to favor Buttigieg and Fauxahontas?
https://dbdailyupdate.com/index.php/2019/06/15/dems-nbc-structure-debate-lineups-to-promote-the-partys-new-dream-ticket/
Posted by: JimNorCal | June 15, 2019 at 05:36 PM
See you next Tuesday, Sullivan.
Posted by: Captain Hate | June 15, 2019 at 05:40 PM
Orlando is going to be a zoo. One reason I am not going.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | June 15, 2019 at 05:41 PM
ICE even holds classes to help transgender migrants appear more feminine while they wait to be processed.
Every day when I wake up I feel more like George Taylor.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | June 15, 2019 at 05:48 PM
>>>Either that or they realize it's not just going to blow over, like they were hoping.
Posted by: Extraneus | June 15, 2019 at 05:06 PM<<<
we've been re-litigating the 2016 election since November 9th 2016 ... we've lost the house, almost lost the senate, and still being flooded with legal and illegal immigration ... they are taking a victory lap.
Posted by: rich | June 15, 2019 at 05:49 PM