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President defends tax-settlement stance and says government will reimburse those harmed by past "weaponization"
Summary
The President said he had sued the IRS over release of his tax returns, was not involved in a settlement, and called prior actions by other administrations "weaponization" that "destroyed" people; he said the government is reimbursing legal fees and costs for those affected.
Reporters asked the President about criticism that his settlement over tax-return issues prevents prosecution. He said he had sued the IRS over the release of his tax returns and that the released returns showed he pays "a lot of tax." He stated he was not involved in the subsequent settlement: "I wasn't involved in the settlement. Uh I could have been involved, but I didn't choose to be."
The President framed earlier enforcement as "weaponization," saying it "destroyed people," led to jail sentences and, in at least one reported case, suicide. He said the current government is "reimbursing those people for their legal fees and for their costs." He also tied the history of such enforcement to both the Obama and Biden administrations, saying the process "will never be allowed in this country again."
Why it matters: The President's remarks advance a narrative that past use of government enforcement was politically motivated and announce a restitution posture for affected individuals. The President offered examples of personal harm but provided no case names, legal citations or amounts for reimbursements.
The President did not provide documentation or further specifics about the reimbursement process, eligibility criteria, or the settlement referenced by reporters.
