Bipartisan group of former judges asks court to investigate Trump's IRS deal

A group of former federal judges on Wednesday asked a federal court to reopen President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), arguing that the administration circumvented the court by negotiating a settlement with the president and creating a $1.776 billion fund for those who believe that the government has wronged them. The group of more than 30 ex-judges, appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents, wrote that the Department of Justice (DOJ) “deceived” U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams by announcing the settlement with Trump after the president’s legal team did not mention it in dismissing the case. Under that settlement, the DOJ created a nearly $2 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for those who believe the federal government has wronged them. The fund has the power to “issue formal apologies and monetary relief” to successful claimants, according to the department . While the DOJ stated that there are “no partisan requirements” to file a claim for money from the fund, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns that those convicted of wrongdoing in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol could receive taxpayer dollars. …