By: Teddy Grant

The IRS must release former President Donald Trump’s tax returns to Congress, the Justice Department announced Friday.

In its opinion, the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel said the House Ways and Means Committee had “sufficient reasons” for wanting the information, according to NBC News. Its decision is a reversal from its 2019 opinion that said Congress’ request was not valid.

“As I have maintained for years, the committee’s case is very strong and the law is on our side,” said Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I am glad that the Department of Justice agrees and that we can move forward.”

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The Trump administration had previously said there was no legitimate reason for Congress to need Trumps’ tax returns and refused to provide the documentation.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court said that Trump’s tax returns and other financial records must be turned over to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. in relation to a criminal probe.

“Access to former President Trump’s tax returns is a matter of national security,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “The American people deserve to know the facts of his troubling conflicts of interest and undermining of our security and democracy as president.”