Trump Sues IRS and Treasury for $10 Billion Over Tax Leak
Trump, his sons and the Trump Organization seek $10 billion, saying agencies failed to stop a 2019 and 2020 leak of his tax returns.
Overview
President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and the Trump Organization filed a $10 billion suit against the IRS and Treasury on Jan. 29 in federal court in Miami, Florida, according to the complaint.
The complaint says former contractor Charles "Chaz" Littlejohn disclosed Trump tax data in 2019 and 2020; Littlejohn pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to five years in 2024, court records show.
The complaint says plaintiffs sued in their personal capacities and alleged the agencies' failures caused reputational and financial harm; Treasury and IRS did not immediately respond to requests for comment, court filings show.
Prosecutors said Littlejohn stole and disclosed thousands of tax returns, and the complaint alleges materials were provided to The New York Times and ProPublica, court filings show.
The suit seeks $10 billion in damages and was filed Jan. 29; the Miami court docket shows initial case processing and plaintiffs anticipate litigation to proceed, according to court records.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this story neutrally, presenting plaintiffs' allegations and background while attributing evaluative claims to named sources. They quote the complaint and Trump's remarks, cite the IRS's statement condemning the leak, and note agencies' nonresponses — minimizing editorial language and leaving judgment to readers.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Charles Littlejohn is a former IRS contractor who stole and leaked tax records of Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy individuals to The New York Times and ProPublica between 2018 and 2020. He pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2024.
Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization are seeking $10 billion in damages from the IRS and Treasury for reputational and financial harm caused by the leak.
The New York Times reported that Trump paid no federal income tax in 10 out of 15 years prior to 2019 and only $750 in 2016 and 2017.
The Treasury and IRS did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. Previously, the IRS apologized to victims and invested in data security.
The Treasury Department canceled all contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, the firm that employed Littlejohn, for failing to prevent the leak.
History
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