May 20, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Opposition Democratic senator have vehemently condemned a directive issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that grants President Donald Trump, his family members, and his business entities total immunity from all current and future tax audits and related legal actions.
The directive was quietly posted on the DOJ website on Tuesday, May 19, without an official press release. The move follows a Monday, May 18, out-of-court settlement resolving a massive $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Trump against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the unauthorized leak of his tax returns spanning 2018 to 2020 to the media.
Signed by Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal defense attorney who currently serves as the Acting Attorney General, the one-page memorandum explicitly states that any future tax claims, prosecutions, or investigations against Donald J. Trump, his family, and his associated business entities are “permanently barred.”
Nathan Goldman, a tax and accounting expert and professor at the University of North Carolina, described the move as entirely unprecedented. “This action is historically unmatched,” Goldman stated. “It effectively positions Trump and his family uniquely apart from ordinary American taxpayers, allowing them to pay taxes essentially at their own discretion without any fear of audits, financial penalties, or imprisonment.”
Richard Painter, who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration, pointed out that granting such tax immunity directly violates the Domestic Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The clause strictly stipulates that a sitting president cannot receive any profit or advantage from the United States government other than their officially allocated salary.
California Senator Adam Schiff sharply criticized the Trump administration on social media, accusing the executive branch of blatant corruption and self-dealing. “The tax-evading president, courtesy of Todd Blanche, has just manufactured permanent tax immunity for his entire family,” Schiff wrote.
The controversial immunity directive emerged shortly after the establishment of a $1.776 billion “Anti-Retaliation Fund.” While the administration claims the fund is designed to financially compensate individuals who have been politically targeted through lawfare, critics have denounced it as a “slush fund” intended to reward Trump’s allies. The fund will be managed by a five-member commission, four of whom are to be directly appointed by Todd Blanche.
During a tense exchange with lawmakers, Todd Blanche defended the creation of the fund, asserting that it would operate impartially. He claimed that anyone who believes they were politically persecuted through legal mechanisms—including President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden—would be eligible to apply for compensation.
Under U.S. law, sitting presidents bear the same legal responsibilities as ordinary citizens to file accurate tax returns and remain subject to audits. However, critics argue that this latest directive effectively places President Trump and his family entirely above the law.
