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Letters to the Editor

Let truth emerge

To the Journal editor:

Three issues are too often seen as partisan. I believe that they should be bipartisan, now, and they certainly will be soon enough.

First, Congress should require that President Trump produce his tax returns.

Second, Congress should investigate potential ties between Russia and President Trump’s associates.

Third, Congress should investigate Russian (attempted) influence during the 2016 elections.

Regarding President Trump’s tax returns, I believe that they should be made public immediately. However, I also support the proposals for compromise described by Professors Desai and Kleinbard of Harvard and the University of Southern California, respectively, in The Washington Post on Feb. 22).

Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation can examine the tax returns in closed session and release a report with findings and redacted returns. This compromise can address the concerns that a real estate developer and brand marketer might have (which would be legitimate if not claimed by an elected official, particularly President).

Importantly, refusal or resistance by President Trump would highlight that there may be additional, less legitimate reasons to withhold the tax returns. Furthermore, the political climate may eventually force release and investigation of the returns.

Pursuing the effort now prevents delaying release to the public of potentially critical information, such as substantive conflicts or misstatements, should they be uncovered.

Similarly, substantiation of any Russian efforts to influence the election, or ties between Russia and Trump associates should occur before official actions and policies are entangled in emerging revelations.

In any case, whether determining that there are no substantive conflicts or issues, determining how best to navigate minor conflicts or issues, or tackling major conflicts and issues head-on, it is better for Democrats, Republicans, the Presidency, and the American Public to discover and deal with potential issues now.

Republicans and Democrats should work together and act now. If the tide reverses and a wave of public resentment builds, we will remember who argued to delay or hide whatever facts eventually emerge.

The worse the facts are for the President, the worse for everyone who delayed or obstructed!

P. David Allen II

Marquette

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