Judge orders review of Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams has ordered a review of a settlement between the Justice Department and Donald Trump to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS over the alleged mishandling of his tax records. The review follows a motion by 35 retired federal judges who claim the agreement is a "product of collusion" and a "fraud on the court," suggesting the lawsuit was based on deception.

The settlement is highly controversial as it proposes creating a $1.8 billion fund to compensate victims of political "weaponization," which critics and some Republican lawmakers have derided as a "slush fund," fearing it could benefit January 6 Capitol rioters. Additionally, the deal would bar the IRS from auditing past tax claims for Trump, his relatives, and his companies for returns filed before May 18.

While Judge Williams had initially dismissed the case, she now asserts the court is "empowered to investigate serious misconduct." Separately, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia has temporarily blocked the administration from establishing the anti-weaponization fund until at least June 12.

(Source：Ksl)