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Judge says Trump’s IRS lawsuit was filed for ‘improper purpose'
By Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
A federal judge has found that President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns was filed for an improper purpose.Judge Kathleen Williams found that President Trump effectively controlled the IRS and treasury as head of the Executi...
Key takeaway Judge Kathleen Williams found that President Trump effectively controlled the IRS and treasury as head of the Executive Branch, which means the parties were not "truly adverse" and that there was "never a case or controversy.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The implications of this ruling extend beyond the federal level, as Nashville residents who pay taxes to the IRS may wonder about the fairness and integrity of the tax system. The judge's finding that the lawsuit was filed for an improper purpose and that the settlement deviated from standard DOJ policies raises questions about the use of taxpayer dollars to settle grievances that are not defined in law. As the city of Nashville continues to grow and attract new businesses and residents, the perception of fairness in the tax system is crucial for maintaining trust in government institutions. The fact that the U.S. government has dropped tax claims against President Trump as part of the settlement deal may also spark debate among local taxpayers about the unequal application of tax laws. The referral of Trump's attorneys to the Florida Bar and the imposition of sanctions may also lead to a closer examination of the role of lawyers in shaping the outcome of similar cases in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A federal judge has found that President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns was filed for an improper purpose.Judge Kathleen Williams found that President Trump effectively controlled the IRS and treasury as head of the Executi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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