The Justice Department just handed Donald Trump something no president has ever received. His administration has effectively shielded him, his family, and his businesses from every pending tax claim in American history.
DOJ drops pending tax claims against Donald Trump
The Justice Department has agreed to drop all pending tax claims against Donald Trump and his family. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed a one-page addendum to a settlement agreement on Tuesday, according to NBC News. The addendum declares the federal government “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing any claims against Trump.
The addendum builds on a deal announced Monday, establishing a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. Trump and his co-plaintiffs agreed to drop their $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department. The suit involved leaked tax returns, the 2022 Mar-a-Lago search, and the Russian collusion scandal.
The agreement blocks the U.S. from seeking damages against Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and their company. It also covers other family members and their businesses across any matters currently pending or that could be pending. A Justice Department spokesperson clarified the agreement is “only with respect to existing audits, not future.”
The settlement was reached before a court-ordered deadline requiring the administration to answer questions about Trump’s IRS lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams ordered the matter closed Monday after the Trumps moved to dismiss their suit. The addendum does not specify which other agencies or departments fall under its scope.
Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, sharply criticized the deal. He said Trump has “turned the federal government into his personal protection racket.” Neal further stated the settlement represents “corruption in the plainest sight,” calling it “self-dealing at its most grotesque.” He described it as “a dark, dark day for our democracy,” citing the steering of $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars toward Trump-affiliated companies.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
