Overview
- U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams appointed six outside lawyers to advise on whether the case is legitimate or collusive and whether her court has jurisdiction.
- Her orders also force the Justice Department to state on the record if it will oppose the president’s claim, a step that could determine if the suit must be dismissed for lack of a real conflict.
- The department has not entered a defense, and Trump’s lawyers, not government counsel, sought more time while they discuss a possible resolution with DOJ attorneys.
- News accounts identify former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn as the source of the 2019 leak, and in similar suits DOJ has argued the IRS is not liable for a contractor’s disclosures.
- Former IRS and Justice Department officials filed an amicus brief arguing Trump sued too late and that his at-least $10 billion demand is excessive, while experts note DOJ could still settle using the Judgment Fund.