Overview
- The president’s legal team, which filed the request Friday with the Justice Department’s consent, asked a Miami federal judge to pause the case for 90 days to structure talks.
- The suit stems from leaks by former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn, who is serving five years after giving Trump’s tax data to the New York Times and ProPublica.
- Trump, his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and the Trump Organization seek $10 billion, alleging reputational and financial harm from the disclosures.
- Ethics watchdogs and former officials warn the case poses conflicts because the president controls both sides, raising fears of collusive litigation and weak defense of taxpayer funds.
- Any settlement would likely be paid from public money, and Trump has said he would donate any recovery to charity.