To the Editor:

Re “Secrecy Battle Builds as Judge Rebuffs Trump” (front page, May 21):

President Trump’s fight against shining light on his financial dealings clearly indicates that he knows that any documents will show illegal business activities.

It would be a simple matter to exonerate himself by making available his tax returns and his banking transactions. If there is nothing shady, he is innocent. If there is wrongdoing, he is best served by hiding the evidence.

As Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled , the House Committee on Oversight and Reform does have a legitimate legislative purpose: The Constitution gives the public the right to understand if and how the president is compromised in carrying out his presidential duties by his past business dealings. Other recent presidents have not had this issue because they have distanced themselves from business dealings and made available tax returns.

We, the American public, have the right to understand why Mr. Trump fights so hard to keep us in the dark.