Judge says Trump sued IRS for ‘improper purpose’; refers his lawyer to bar
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press aboard the new Air Force One on July 8, 2026.
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In a scathing ruling Monday, a federal judge in Florida said President Donald Trump sued the Internal Revenue Service “for an improper purpose” to gain the appearance of “judicial legitimacy” for a controversial settlement with the Justice Department, which the president effectively controls.
Judge Kathleen William referred Trump’s attorney in the case, Alejandro Brito, to the Florida bar for consideration of whether Brito should be disciplined in light of the new order’s findings.
Williams also ordered that a copy of his decision be sent to the New York State Bar Association, of which Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is a member, and the District of Columbia Bar Association, of which Deputy Attorney General Stanley Woodward is a member.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team, which includes Brito, said in a statement in response to the order: “The IRS mistakenly allowed a fraudulent, politically motivated employee to leak private and confidential information about President Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization to the New York Times, ProPublica, and other left-wing news organizations, which was then illegally disclosed to millions of people.”
“President Trump continues to hold accountable those who have wronged America and Americans,” the spokesman said.
CNBC requested comment from the Department of Justice.
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