Former President Donald Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization filed a $10 billion lawsuit on January 29 in a Miami federal court against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury Department. The legal action centers on the alleged failure of these agencies to secure sensitive financial information, resulting in the leak of Trump's 2019 and 2020 tax returns to the media.
The complaint specifically names the government agencies for alleged inaction regarding security protocols, which plaintiffs claim permitted former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn to disseminate the confidential data. Littlejohn reportedly faces criminal charges stemming from the leak, with accusations suggesting the disclosure was politically motivated, according to reports from September 2023.
Plaintiffs assert that the unauthorized release caused substantial and irreparable harm to their reputations and financial interests. The filing seeks punitive damages, arguing the breaches were either intentional or the result of severe, willful carelessness by federal employees.
This lawsuit represents a rare instance where a former U.S. President directly litigates against the administrative bodies that operated under his own executive authority. Such actions raise questions regarding internal accountability mechanisms within federal tax enforcement agencies.
Separately, Trump is reportedly pursuing a $5 billion claim against JPMorgan Chase, alleging the bank engaged in improper conduct, also citing political motivations. These overlapping legal battles highlight the ongoing high-stakes litigation surrounding the former president and his business empire.
From a broader economic security perspective, the case underscores vulnerabilities within federal data handling systems, particularly concerning high-profile taxpayers. The outcome could influence future policy regarding the protection of sensitive financial records held by the government.
