How to hear today’s Supreme Court arguments

Meaning: Moments cases related to the separation of powers, which goes to the heart of the power of Congress to investigate. President Donald Trump’s private attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to block House subpoenas to the president’s accounting firm and banks for years of financial records.

The House argues that it seeks the records of Mazars USA, Deutsche Bank and Capital One for the legitimate purpose of investigating whether Congress should amend federal conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws, as well as laws regulating banks. Chamber attorneys emphasize that subpoenas are directed at third parties, not the President, and that the documents are not related to his official duties.

Trump argues that there is no valid legislative purpose for the documents, and instead the House is engaged in a fishing expedition to see if it violated the law. The Justice Department takes Trump’s side and emphasizes that when it comes to the President, Congress must reach a higher level before sending subpoenas. It says the subpoenas are invalid because the committee did not issue a clear statement describing its legislative purpose. The lower courts have sided with Congress.

Participants: Trump’s attorney Patrick Strawbridge; Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey B. Wall; Douglas Letter, General Counsel to the United States House of Representatives.

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Second case: Donald J. Trump v. Cyrus Vance

Hour: Immediately after Trump v. Mazars; at approximately 11 a.m. ET.

Meaning: The case concerns Trump’s extensive immunity demands, in a dispute stemming from a New York prosecutor’s subpoena to Trump’s accounting firm over his tax returns and other financial documents.

The subpoena searches for records dating from 2011 to the present in connection with transactions unrelated to the President’s official acts. One issue raised related to the alleged “secret money” paid on behalf of Trump to two women with whom he was allegedly having relationships. Trump has denied having relationships with women. Trump’s personal attorneys sued in federal court to block subpoenas, claiming that he has immunity from such criminal proceedings while in office.

The Justice Department takes Trump’s side, but for narrower reasons. A federal appeals court ruled against the President, sidestepping some of his more expansive claims.

Participants: Trump attorney Jay A. Sekulow; Attorney General Noel Francisco; Carey R. Dunne, general counsel for the New York County District Attorney’s Office.