DOJ quietly slips Trump what looks a lot like permanent audit invisibility
One assumes the average taxpayer can also obtain permanent audit immunity by simply becoming president and installing loyalists.
“What could he possibly be hiding?” is, admittedly, not the reassuring question we’re all thinking.
While Todd Blanche was apparently busy testifying before the Senate about other matters, the Justice Department reportedly posted a one-page addendum that — if accurately described — permanently shields Donald Trump, his family, and associated entities from IRS examinations of previously filed returns, which is one of those sentences that sounds made up even while you’re typing it.
The addendum, signed by Blanche and dated Tuesday, contains a sweeping release under which the IRS is “forever barred and precluded” from pursuing “examinations” of Trump, “related or affiliated individuals,” and related trusts and businesses. The waiver specifically covers “tax returns filed before the effective date” of the settlement — which was Monday. Every tax return Trump has ever filed is now beyond the reach of the IRS.
The document bears Blanche’s signature. It does not bear the signature of any IRS representative or any current Trump lawyer. The original settlement was signed by Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, and Trump attorney Daniel Epstein. The addendum expanding it to cover all past audits was signed by Blanche alone. Metadata attached to the document shows it was prepared or scanned at 7:50 a.m. Tuesday — hours before Blanche testified. Blanche spent more than two hours answering Senate questions about the fund. He did not mention the addendum once.
One assumes the average taxpayer can also obtain permanent audit immunity by simply becoming president and installing loyalists.