Trump may settle his lawsuit against IRS for $1.7bn fund to compensate allies

There is growing concern that Donald Trump's massive $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may be settled by his own administration. Reports indicate Trump may agree to drop the lawsuit in exchange for the launch of a $1.7bn fund to compensate people he says were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration. This fund would reportedly be administered through the Treasury Department's Judgment Fund and could provide compensation to more than 1,500 January 6 rioters. The settlement discussions reportedly include Trump asking the IRS to issue a public apology and waive an audit of himself and his businesses. Legal experts have raised serious concerns about this potential settlement, noting that it would be an unprecedented self-dealing maneuver for a US president. Critics argue that the settlement would effectively create a slush fund for Trump's political allies using taxpayer money. The lawsuit itself was filed by Trump, his sons, and the Trump family business against the IRS for $10bn in damages related to the leak of his personal tax returns. Judge Kathleen Williams has questioned whether there is a genuine controversy in the case, as Trump is both the plaintiff and the head of the executive branch overseeing the IRS. Legal advocates warn that given Trump's influence over the Justice Department, there is a risk of a collusive settlement. The case highlights Trump's pattern of using the Justice Department for his own ends, including prosecuting political rivals. If the full $10bn amount were paid, it would more than double his family's net worth and represent a massive transfer of taxpayer funds.

(Source：Google News)