Mnuchin: More tax details coming shortly

Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinDebt ceiling riles short-term investors; long-termers at peace Juan Williams: Trump’s shutdown gamble Trump’s smart sanctions can lead Venezuela back to democracy MORE said Thursday that the White House and key congressional Republicans are likely to release more tax-reform details in the next several weeks.

Mnuchin told The Wall Street Journal that he expected a tax blueprint with more specifics to come out in the coming weeks, but that “it’s not a 100-page bill with every single detail.” 

The treasury secretary also said in a CNBC interview Thursday that people will ”see the details come out later this month,” likely referring to September.

“It’s going to go through a committee process, and we expect the House and the Senate will get this to the president to sign this year, and we couldn’t be more excited about the progress we’ve made,” Mnuchin told CNBC.

Mnuchin’s comments come one day after President Trump launched his efforts to sell a tax code rewrite to lawmakers and the public in a speech in Springfield, Mo. Trump’s speech didn’t get into many specifics and instead focused broadly on why an overhaul of the tax code is needed to help the middle class.

“What the president is focused on is explaining to the American public why tax reform is important,” Mnuchin said in his interview with CNBC. “it’s about creating American jobs, it’s about creating competitive business so that we can bring back trillions of dollars and have it invested here, and it’s about a middle-income tax cut and tax simplification.”

In his speech, Trump said that he ideally wants the tax rate on business income to be lowered to 15 percent. Mnuchin told CNBC that 15 percent is the “ideal rate” but that “wherever we end up, the objective is to get a competitive business rate.” The corporate tax rate is currently 35 percent.

The Treasury secretary is a member of a group of administration officials and GOP lawmakers known as the “Big Six” who are taking the lead on tax reform. Other members include Speaker Paul RyanPaul RyanDebt-ceiling deadline looming, but don’t panic yet Lawmakers vow Harvey aid package, but there’s no plan yet Ten notable departures from Team Trump MORE (R-Wis.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellBannon breaks with Trump, backs Moore in Alabama Senate race: report Debt-ceiling deadline looming, but don’t panic yet OPINION: Trump, strike a deal: Trade border wall funding for DACA protections MORE (R-Ky.), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin BradyKevin BradyOPINION | Corey Lewandowski: Trump’s tax reform plan prioritizes American voters, not lobbyists GOP chairman: Tax reform could increase deficit GOP thinks it has winning message on taxes MORE (R-Texas), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin HatchOrrin Grant HatchModernizing online privacy protections can be a win for Congress  Charlottesville does not stop me from being a proud American Jew Hatch urged Trump to ‘speak clearly’ against hate groups MORE (R-Utah) and White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn.

The “Big Six” released a joint statement in July outlining tax principles, and the group is expected to meet with President Trump on Tuesday.

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David A. Clarke Jr. resigns as Milwaukee County sheriff

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. — the controversial, Stetson-wearing official who rose to national prominence with his no-holds-barred conservative rhetoric — resigned his office Thursday. 

Clarke, who is in his fourth term, submitted a resignation letter to Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson on Thursday afternoon. The sheriff was attending the convention of the National Fraternal Order of Police in Nashville and could not be reached for comment. 

“Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 17.01, this communication is submitted as the notice of my resignation as Sheriff of Milwaukee County commencing Aug. 31, 2017, at 11:59 p.m.,” stated Clarke’s resignation letter. 

The news of the resignation was first reported by conservative talk show host Mark Belling. 

Gov. Scott Walker will appoint Clarke’s successor, but the process won’t begin until the governor’s office receives the sheriff’s resignation letter. 

Once that happens, the governor will seek applications, a process that usually takes a couple of weeks, and then begin interviewing candidates. Applicants must live in Milwaukee County to be appointed to the post. 

Clarke’s successor will serve until the end of the current term in 2018

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