Judge Rebukes Trump IRS Lawsuit and Refers Attorney for Review

A federal judge in Florida sharply criticized the Trump legal team on Monday, saying a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was filed for an improper purpose. The case centers on a proposed settlement tied to a 2019 leak of Trump’s tax records. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, appointed by former President Barack Obama, said the lawsuit appeared designed to help legitimize a controversial Justice Department agreement. She also referred attorney Alejandro Brito to the Florida Bar for possible disciplinary action. Williams said the government officials involved were public servants bound to act in the public interest, not private parties negotiating a routine deal. The ruling revived scrutiny of an earlier plan to create an antiweaponization fund, which was later dropped after criticism. The lawsuit was brought by Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organization against the IRS and Treasury Department, seeking damages after contractor Charles Littlejohn leaked tax information in 2019. Fox News reported that the White House directed questions to Trump’s personal attorneys, while the Justice Department and Brito were also contacted for comment.