Trump must release tax return records

The US Supreme Court yesterday made it clear that a sitting president cannot evade criminal investigations, ruling that a prosecutor in New York City can obtain President Donald Trump's financial records including tax returns.

The 7-2 ruling authored by Chief Justice John Roberts means that the subpoena issued to Trump's long-term accounting firm, Mazars LLP, for various financial records to be turned over to a grand jury as part of a criminal investigation can be enforced.

"Two hundred years ago, a great jurist of our Court established that no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding," the court said. "We reaffirm that principle today."

The court was due to issue a second ruling imminently in related litigation involving subpoenas for Trump's financial records by Democratic-led House of Representatives committees.

Unlike other recent presidents, Trump has refused to release his tax returns and other documents that could provide details on his wealth and businesses.