Trump appeals order slamming IRS lawsuit, referring lawyer to bar

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump has appealed a federal judge's order accusing him of filing a bad-faith $10 billion lawsuit to secure a favorable settlement, with the appeal filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
• The original lawsuit, related to the leak of Trump's tax returns by a former IRS employee, was deemed by Judge Kathleen Williams to have been used to gain judicial legitimacy for a settlement lacking legal or factual basis.
• The controversial $1.776 billion "lawfare" fund created as part of the settlement has been scrapped, causing frustration for Trump and complicating the Senate confirmation of his attorney general nominee, Todd Blanche, due to concerns the fund could be revived.
• Trump has publicly defended the fund, stating victims of government abuse, including those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, should be compensated, which has drawn criticism and skepticism from some Republican senators.
• The settlement also included protections barring IRS enforcement actions against Trump and his associates' past tax returns, and Judge Williams referred one of Trump's attorneys for potential disciplinary action.