Former IRS, DOJ officials call on judge to scrutinize Trump audit immunity deal
Key takeaways
- Within a month after Acting AG Blanche issued the Immunity Order, President Trump nominated Blanche to be Attorney General, the amicus brief states.
- The officials also argue that Blanche did not have the authority to provide immunity from audits because the circumstances were never referred to the DOJ for potential prosecution.
- The President of the United States is obligated to pay taxes he owes, just like every other American.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
Former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, former Assistant Attorney General for DOJ s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally, former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson and former chief of DOJ s Tax Division appellate section Gilbert Rothenberg submitted the amicus brief and argue that last month s settlement rendering Trump, his family and business affiliates forever exempt from IRS claims on prior tax returns violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause.
The law is an anti-corruption safeguard stating that the president shall receive a fixed compensation for their services and cannot receive any other emolument (financial benefit, profit, or advantage) from the United States or any individual state.
On May 18, Trump decided to voluntarily dismiss his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS for leaking his tax returns and the DOJ announced terms of the settlement included creating a $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund.