Trump Is Suing His Own Government
The Atlantic
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
President Trump has filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the IRS, seeking $10 billion in damages from taxpayer dollars for alleged mishandling of his tax information. The suit, brought by Trump and his sons Don Jr. and Eric, claims that a former IRS contractor leaked their tax returns to the media during Trump’s first term. This breach was admitted by the contractor as part of a 2023 guilty plea. Trump is demanding $10 billion in statutory damages under the tax code, which allows plaintiffs to sue for $1,000 per instance of disclosure or for "actual damages." His legal team argues that secondary disclosures—such as widespread media coverage—qualify for these damages. However, courts have previously rejected claims that secondary disclosures count under this statute.
The lawsuit raises significant questions about the separation of powers and ethics in government. Trump, who oversees both the IRS and the Treasury Department, is suing an agency he controls. If successful, this would mark the first time taxpayer dollars are redirected to a sitting president’s personal bank account. Critics argue that Trump’s actions amount to self-dealing and extortion, given his history of legal battles against media outlets and tech companies, including $16 million settlements with Paramount and ABC in 2024.
The case also highlights broader concerns about tax privacy and transparency. While the law allows individuals to sue for tax information leaks, Trump’s role as president complicates the issue. His refusal to release
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/13/2026