Democrats Demand Answers on Trump's 'Corrupt' IRS Settlement That Bars Audits and Creates $1.8B Fund

Reps. Jamie Raskin and Richard Neal sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and IRS CEO Frank Bisignano demanding answers about a May 18 settlement that permanently bars the IRS from auditing Trump's past tax returns, his family's returns, and related companies. The settlement, which resolved Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, creates a nearly $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' controlled by administration appointees. Democrats characterized it as 'one of the most brazen acts of public corruption and self-dealing in American history' and a 'taxpayer shakedown' structured to enrich Trump, his family, and allies while operating in secrecy. The House Democrats' Litigation Task Force separately filed a motion to block the settlement, arguing it unconstitutionally attempts to create a slush fund to reward allies and circumvents Congress's appropriations power.

"Never in American history has a president pursued corruption this brazenly or on such a colossal scale." — Rep. Jamie Raskin's characterization of the IRS settlement in the letter demanding answers from Trump administration officials