The Supreme Court has finished hearing arguments in two cases involving President Trump’s bid to keep his tax, bank and other financial records private.

Though the justices’ discussion was lengthy, it was unclear whether they would uphold lower court decisions that found subpoenas to Trump’s accountant and banks by Manhattan prosecutors and Congress are valid and should be enforced.

The arguments were conducted by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic. They lasted for about three hours and 20 minutes. That’s about an hour and 20 minutes longer than questioning would have lasted in the courtroom.

The court heard phone arguments on four previous days. But Tuesday was the first time Chief Justice John Roberts allowed some latitude for additional rounds of questioning.

Several justices wanted to know whether there’s a limit to ensure subpoenas aren’t used to harass the president.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor told Trump lawyer Patrick Strawbridge: “Counsel, there is a long, long history of Congress seeking records and getting them ... from presidents."

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Steven Breyer have brought up requests for documents during Watergate and Whitewater. Justice Elena Kagan says in the past Congress and the president have been able to come to agreements.

Trump is fighting subpoenas by congressional committees and Manhattan prosecutors for tax records.

Rulings against the president could lead to the campaign season release of personal financial information that President Trump has kept shielded from investigators and the public.

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