Trump Sues IRS, Treasury for $10 Billion Over Tax Return Leak
Former President Donald Trump has initiated a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department, seeking $10 billion in damages. He alleges that both agencies permitted an IRS contractor to unlawfully leak his tax returns, as well as those of his sons and the Trump Organization.
Overview of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami and names Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Jr., and the Trump Organization as plaintiffs. The suit claims that mishandling of Trump’s tax returns led to unauthorized disclosures to media outlets in 2020. Trump’s legal team stated that the disclosures caused significant reputational and financial harm.
Details of the Leak
The breach of confidentiality is attributed to Charles Littlejohn, an IRS contractor who was sentenced in 2024 to five years in prison. Littlejohn leaked Trump’s tax records to The New York Times and other outlets. Additionally, he allegedly sent a storage device containing the tax information to ProPublica, another publication that reported on wealthy individuals’ tax matters.
Allegations Against IRS and Treasury
Trump’s lawsuit claims that the IRS and Treasury acted either knowingly or with gross negligence, failing to safeguard sensitive taxpayer information. The lawsuit asserts that proper administrative, technical, and physical safeguards were not established to protect confidential data.
Reactions and Context
A spokesman for Trump emphasized that the IRS allowed a politically motivated employee to leak private information to left-leaning news outlets. Meanwhile, the IRS and Treasury Department have not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the lawsuit.
Recent Legal Challenges by Trump
- Earlier this month, Trump sued JPMorgan Chase Bank for $5 billion.
- He also filed a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on his business practices.
- In July, Trump pursued legal action against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch, seeking $10 billion over a story related to his connection with Jeffrey Epstein.
These legal maneuvers highlight the ongoing conflicts and controversies surrounding Trump. The outcomes of these cases may have significant implications for his public image and political future.
