Critics Sue DOJ Over Tax Immunity for Donald Trump

The National Treasury Employees Union and a group of critics have filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Justice to challenge a tax immunity order benefiting Donald Trump, his eldest sons, and the Trump Organization. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the order to shield these parties from Internal Revenue Service audits and Treasury claims regarding past tax filings.

The immunity was granted as part of a settlement resolving a $10 billion lawsuit Trump brought against the IRS. The plaintiffs, represented by the Democracy Forward Foundation, argue that the order violates federal laws prohibiting presidential interference in taxpayer audits and breaches the Constitution's emoluments clause. The union specifically alleges that the order compels career IRS employees to violate their oath of office.

The legal challenge, Floyd v. Department of Justice, is currently before US District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia. Judge Brinkema previously blocked a separate component of the same settlement: the creation of a $1.8 billion fund intended for victims of government weaponization.