Judge says Trump sued IRS for improper purpose
Trump IRS lawsuit faces judicial rebuke over disputed DOJ settlement Judge blocks reliance on the deal and exposes the case's weak legal footing
A federal judge in Miami said President Donald Trump used a lawsuit against the IRS for an improper purpose, arguing that the case was filed to make a disputed settlement with the Justice Department appear legitimate.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams also referred Trump lawyer Alejandro Brito to the Florida bar for possible discipline. In her order, she said the case lacked real adversity because Trump controls both the Justice Department and the IRS.
The ruling blocks Trump, the DOJ and others from relying on the settlement in later proceedings. It also suggests that a $1.8 billion DOJ fund tied to the deal will remain abandoned, after Congress raised concerns about how it could be used.