Trump's $10 Billion IRS Lawsuit: Treasury's Role Under Scrutiny

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed President Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Treasury and IRS in a Senate hearing. He clarified any settlement would come from Treasury's general account, deferring decision-making to the U.S. Justice Department. The lawsuit involves leaked tax returns and potential conflicts of interest.

In a recent Senate Banking Committee hearing, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent detailed the handling of President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service. Bessent emphasized that any settlement would be drawn from the Treasury's general account, with key decisions left to the U.S. Justice Department.

The legal battle originates from the disclosure of Trump's tax returns in 2019 and 2020. Bessent refrained from commenting on potential payments, stating that these decisions lie with the Justice Department. He reiterated that he had no discussions with Trump or the White House over the lawsuit.

The ongoing case has sparked controversy and privacy concerns, with legal questions being raised over potential conflicts of interest. Sen. Ruben Gallego questioned the propriety of the Treasury making payments to Trump, given the president's authority over Treasury appointments, spurring tense exchanges in the committee hearings.

(With inputs from agencies.)