Retired Judges Demand Closer Look at Trump's IRS Immunity Claims

WHO:

ABC News - A group of former IRS officials is involved in the request to scrutinize Trump's immunity claims.

Yahoo - 35 retired federal judges, including former 4th Circuit Judge Michael Luttig, are criticizing Trump's defense.

WHAT:

ABC News - The former IRS officials are asking a federal judge to examine a deal that granted President Trump immunity from past tax audits.

Yahoo - Trump sued the IRS on January 29, claiming an IRS contractor's illegal disclosure of his tax returns caused "at least" $10 billion in damages.

Yahoo - Trump dropped his lawsuit two days before a crucial briefing deadline, leading to a "settlement agreement" that promised $1.8 billion for an "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

Yahoo - The settlement includes provisions that purportedly shield Trump and his family from liability for tax violations and other federal offenses prior to May 19.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The case was overseen by federal judge Kathleen Williams in Florida.

WHEN:

Yahoo - Trump filed his lawsuit against the IRS on January 29.

Yahoo - The settlement agreement was announced two days before the deadline for briefing on the issue of collusion.

Yahoo - An executive order issued by Trump in February 2025 affects the DOJ's legal positions.

WHY:

Yahoo - The retired judges argue that the case and settlement suggest collusion, as both sides were represented by attorneys who worked for Trump.

Yahoo - The DOJ's failure to contest Trump's claims contrasts with its handling of lawsuits against the IRS by other plaintiffs, highlighting conflicts of interest.

HOW:

Yahoo - Trump's lawyers claimed the DOJ would have been authorized to settle his claims even without a lawsuit, a point contested by the retired judges.

Yahoo - The retired judges assert that the lawsuit was non-adversarial and collusive, as President Trump controlled both sides of the dispute.

(UPDATED June 23, 2026 01:41 UTC)

A group of former IRS officials is urging a federal judge to investigate President Trump's immunity claims related to a deal that shielded him from past tax audits. This comes as 35 retired federal judges, including former 4th Circuit Judge Michael Luttig, criticize Trump’s defense, arguing that the case and settlement indicate collusion, given that both sides were represented by attorneys who worked for him. Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, which he filed on January 29, was dropped just two days before a critical briefing deadline, leading to a settlement agreement that includes provisions protecting him and his family from liability for tax violations prior to May 19.