Donald Trump Petitions Appeals Court to Pause IRS Lawsuit Sanctions

Donald Trump petitioned the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals to pause sanctions issued by a Miami judge in a lawsuit he filed against the Internal Revenue Service. The original litigation sought to hold the IRS liable for leaking tax information.

US District Judge Kathleen Williams previously ruled that Trump brought the case in "bad faith" and determined that a settlement reached with the Justice Department had no "basis in law." As part of her ruling, Judge Williams barred Trump and federal agencies from referencing the terms of a deal that provided tax audit immunity for Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization. She also referred Trump's attorneys for disciplinary action.

Trump argues that the judge's order imposes an "unconstitutional speech restraint" and career-altering professional sanctions. The legal conflict follows a failed attempt by Attorney General Todd Blanche to establish a $1.8 billion fund for victims of government "weaponization" as part of the settlement, a plan Blanche later withdrew due to opposition from Republican members of Congress. The audit immunity order remains in effect while the appeals court considers the request.