Washington D.C. The issue of immunity granted to U.S. President Donald Trump, his family, and businesses from ongoing tax-related investigations has created a major political controversy in America.
A directive issued by the U.S. Department of Justice states that all current or future potential tax investigations and claims against Trump, his family members, and businesses will be permanently halted.
This decision comes after Trump settled a $10 billion lawsuit he filed against the U.S. tax agency Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a day earlier. The lawsuit was related to the incident where Trump’s tax returns were leaked to the media between 2018 and 2020.
A one-page document bears the signature of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The document states that tax claims related to Trump will be ‘permanently prohibited and predetermined.’ This document was reportedly made public on the Justice Department’s website without any formal announcement or press release. The directive also includes all investigations related to Trump’s tax returns submitted before Monday’s settlement.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move as an abuse of power and an example of corruption. California Senator Adam Schiff accused the Trump administration of using state mechanisms for its own benefit.
‘The tax-evading president has given himself and his family tax exemptions,’ he said via social media. Richard Painter, a White House ethics advisor under former President George W. Bush, said such immunity could be unconstitutional.
He cited the ‘Emoluments Clause’ of the U.S. Constitution, stating that the president cannot receive any financial benefits from the government other than his salary. This decision is also linked to the Anti-Weaponization Fund, established under Trump’s settlement agreement, which is intended for his supporters who claim to be politically targeted.
The fund, worth approximately $1.776 billion, is said to have been established to compensate individuals who claim to be victims of legal action for political reasons.
However, critics have called it a secret political fund. According to them, the money could be used to benefit individuals close to Trump. Four out of the five members of the commission responsible for distributing the fund’s money are directly appointed by Todd Blanche.
Blanche was previously Trump’s private lawyer. So far, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Trump Organization have not issued any formal response on the matter.