The one-page order, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, states the IRS “releases, waives, acquits” any pending claims and is “forever barred and precluded” from pursuing claims tied to returns filed before Monday’s settlement.
The addendum stems from Trump’s now-dismissed $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his confidential tax records during the Biden administration. In exchange for dismissing the suit, the DOJ agreed to establish a new $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” aimed at individuals who allege they were unfairly targeted by prior administrations.
You will recall that Trump spent years declining to release his tax returns, citing ongoing audits. The audits are now gone. Previous reporting found the IRS had been examining deductions and tax strategies that could have exposed Trump to roughly $100 million in liabilities. We’ll never know, because the government just agreed to stop looking.
A 2022 congressional investigation found the IRS had failed to properly audit Trump during his first term. That door is now closed, bolted, and the key has been thrown into the Potomac.
Robert B. Hubbell - To be clear, Trump is on both sides of the settlement agreement: He is the plaintiff seeking relief, and he is the head of the executive branch granting that relief. Trump essentially gave himself a “Get Out of Jail Free” card for five decades of possible tax fraud by himself, his businesses, and his family members. The Supreme Court granted Trump immunity from criminal prosecution for any actions related to his duties as president. Trump has now extended that grant of immunity to civil claims and criminal prosecution for tax fraud.
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