Treasury Secretary Mnuchin rejects Democrats' demand for President Trump's taxes

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told Congressional Democrats that he would not be honoring their request to provide six years of President Donald Trump's taxes, likely setting up a legal battle.

Mnuchin rejected the demand in a letter to Congress released Monday.

"In reliance on the advice of the Department of Justice, I have determined that the Committee's request lacks a legitimate legislative purpose," Mnuchin wrote, "the Department is therefore not authorized to disclose the requested returns and return information."

The Democratically controlled Ways and Means Committee had set a deadline for compliance in April, but Mnuchin responded by saying that he needed to seek guidance from the Department of Justice.

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.) responded with a curt statement.

"Today, Secretary Mnuchin notified me that the IRS will not provide the documents I requested under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code. I will consult with counsel and determine the appropriate response," he said.

The refusal will likely lead to a legal battle over the taxes that the president has said he would reveal after his audit was over.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 29 percent of Americans polled said he shouldn't release his tax returns, while 64 percent said he should.

Here's the latest on the Mnuchin refusal:

U.S. Treasury's Mnuchin Refuses Dems In Congresswww.youtube.com