After three lower courts refused to block the release of President Trump’s financial records, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. Arguments will be heard in March, with a decision released in early summer, just as the presidential campaigns are shifting into high gear. From NBC News:

The court will decide whether President Trump’s accounting firm must respond to a grand jury subpoena obtained by the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance. It seeks nearly a decade’s worth of tax returns and other financial documents for an investigation of hush money payments made to two women who claimed they had affairs with Trump, allegations the president has consistently denied.

Donald Trump has long fought to keep his tax returns secret. If the Justices rule against Trump, his financial records would be turned over to investigating Congressional committees.

The Washington Post writes:

The Supreme Court’s decision to get involved represents a historic moment that will test the justices and the Constitution’s separation-of-powers design. It is the first time the president’s personal conduct has come before the court, and marks a new phase in the investigations that have dogged his presidency.