Does this battle over Trump’s tax returns really matter?

My answer is: no.

This is a symbolic fight to extract normative behavior from a deviant President. What’s the point? Some might say it’s to prove that he’s corrupt, that it would reveal how his actions as President benefit his family and his business interests. But everyone already knows that’s the case. Some might then say that this proof is necessary to prosecute him–you need evidence, after all. But who is going to do that? A Republican Congress? Are you kidding? And such evidence wouldn’t convince people who are Trump boosters to begin with–they’ve already picked a side. One might argue that it could turn marginal Trump supporters against him, but his approval rating is already very low. How much lower does anyone reasonably think it could get? Does this actually help beat Republicans in 2018 or 2020? I’d love to hear how.

This issue needs to die, not because it’s unimportant, but because it’s a losing battle. About three quarters of Americans want to see Trump’s tax returns, but wanting it and making it happen are two different things.

Pick fights that can be won, and pick fights that can actually make a difference to how Trump runs the country.

Let this one fucking die.

Photo by 401(K) 2013