politics
Former Officials Urge Court to Review Trump Tax Settlement
Four former IRS and Justice Department officials filed an amicus brief Monday asking a court to declare a May settlement between President Trump and the IRS unlawful. The brief argues the agreement grants improper immunity from tax audits.
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The brief contends the agreement violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause, which bars the president from receiving any financial benefit beyond fixed compensation. Signers include a former IRS commissioner, a former assistant attorney general for the Tax Division, a former national taxpayer advocate, and a former chief of the Tax Division appellate section.
the Settlement On May 18, President Trump voluntarily dismissed a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the alleged leak of his tax returns. The next day, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order that bars examination of those returns for all claims whether presently known or unknown. The settlement also created a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund.
Arguments in the Brief The former officials question whether the May 18 settlement and May 19 order were collusive. They argue the documents appear to extend beyond tax liability to non-tax issues handled by other agencies. "The President of the United States is obligated to pay taxes he owes, just like every other American," the brief states.
" The brief further notes that within a month of issuing the order, President Trump nominated Blanche to be attorney general.
