Not a big shocker that lawmakers in a progressive state like NJ went ahead to be the first to pass an unconstitutional bill. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts and New Mexico are among 19 states also considering 32 similar bills after Pres Trump “failed” (in liberals view) to produce his tax returns prior to the 2016 election. This move is clearly an act by leftists in their never-ending quest to stop and screw with Trump. Newsflash progressive lawmakers, federal law supersedes state laws. Under Article 2 Sec 1 Clause 5 of the US Constitution the requirements for an individual to be POTUS is clearly stated:
“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”
No where in this does it state a presidential candidate must release their tax returns. If you want this federal requirement then go through the proper channels/ process, pass a Constitutional amendment. Yes, states reserve their rights but that’s only in situations where the govt hasn’t delegated powers, per 10th Amendment. The govt has in fact delegated the requirements to be POTUS, states cannot step in and change it! If this becomes law it will be challenged, taken to the Supreme Court and you will lose.
Frankly I don’t care whats on anyone’s tax returns that are running for POTUS. If the IRS didn’t have a problem with a candidates returns, in years prior, then neither should you! “Well, we have to know how much they’ve donated and who they were doing business with.” Really? You’re playing with fire democrats. Tell you what, PRODUCE ALL OF YOUR TAX RETURNS and then maybe we’ll talk. Maybe we should make producing 10 years of tax returns a requirement for anyone running for office?! Why should it just be those running for POTUS? Representatives and Senators (state & federal) are in power much longer and have as much if not more of an impact on citizens lives than those who are POTUS.
By the way if it hasn’t dawned or clicked in your head, the bill now goes to Gov Chris Christie, a “republican”, to be signed into law or vetoed. Let’s see what this “good friend” of the President does!