Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Temporarily Blocks Release Of Trump’s Financial Records To Congress

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily froze a lower-court ruling Monday, which would have forced President Donald Trump‘s accountants to surrender his financial records to the Democratic-controlled House.

Chief Justice John Roberts issued the order, which buys the justices time to decide how to proceed. It does not mean the court plans to hear the appeal Trump filed on Friday against the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit October ruling. The appeal Trump filed on Friday asked the Supreme Court to block the enforcement of a House Committee issued subpoena for the financial records of Mazars LLP, Trump’s accounting firm.

The hold could last days or weeks, providing the court is willing to let an appellate court rule in favor of the House without granting an entire review of the case. It could even last months if the justices decide they need to hear arguments and issue a written opinion. The hold will remain in effect until the court acts.

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On Monday, the House agreed to a short-term intermission in the case to allow for the orderly filing of legal briefs while opposing any long-term interruption. House lawyers stated it would grant Trump 10 days. Trump wanted the hold to take place until the litigation is resolved.

The Supreme Court justices meet in private on Friday to potentially discuss their plans for the case. If they decide not the hear the appeal, all documents would have to be handed over to lawmakers. The appeal needs five Supreme Court Justice votes to grant a stay request.