DOJ Move to Block IRS Audits of Trump Draws Legal Scrutiny

The US Justice Department has reportedly “forever barred” the Internal Revenue Service from pursuing audits related to past tax filings by President Donald Trump, his relatives, and his companies, according to a recently released one-page document, Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff reported for Reuters.

Questions are mounting over a Justice Department settlement affecting IRS reviews of Donald Trump’s past tax filings.

The document, signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, stated that the US government could not audit Trump’s tax returns filed before Monday or revisit matters “that were raised or could have been raised.”

The order reportedly expanded a settlement agreement Trump reached Monday with the IRS, under which he agreed to drop a $10 billion lawsuit related to the leak of his tax returns.

As part of the settlement, the Justice Department established a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate alleged victims of political “weaponization.”

Critics argue the agreement may face legal challenges because courts previously ruled Trump could not sue the IRS, which is part of the executive branch he oversees.

Lawmakers are also debating eligibility for compensation under the fund and whether participants in the January 6 United States Capitol attack could qualify.

Blanche faced repeated questions Tuesday during his first congressional testimony since becoming acting attorney general.