The Justice Department on May 20, 2026 expanded a settlement agreement with President Donald Trump that permanently bars the IRS from investigating or prosecuting Trump, his family members, and his businesses for any past or current tax issues. The settlement, signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche—Trump's former personal lawyer—also establishes a nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund expected to benefit Trump allies including January 6 Capitol rioters, though Trump and his family agreed not to apply for payments. The immunity terms were quietly added via hyperlink after Blanche testified before Senate without mentioning them, raising questions about a criminal law prohibiting presidents from requesting termination of IRS audits. Senior Democrats including Rep. Richard Neal condemned the agreement as corruption and self-dealing, noting Trump controls the executive agencies that settled a $10 billion lawsuit he filed and then abruptly dropped against the IRS.
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