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An Open Letter

To: Sen. King, Rep. Pingree, Sen. Collins

From: A constituent in South Portland, ME

June 3

Trump is Not Above the Law:  Oppose DOJ Exemption for Trump et al from Future Audits I am writing to urge you to oppose and investigate the Department of Justice settlement provision that reportedly bars the Internal Revenue Service from conducting future audits or examinations of tax returns filed before May 19, 2026, by President Donald Trump, members of his family, and related business entities. According to the settlement documents and multiple news reports, the federal government agreed it is “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing such examinations and related claims.   Regardless of one’s political views, this arrangement raises profound concerns about equal treatment under the law. The American tax system depends on the principle that every taxpayer is subject to the same enforcement mechanisms and oversight. No president, former president, family member, or business organization should be placed beyond the reach of lawful tax review through a settlement negotiated by officials within the executive branch.   The issue is not whether President Trump was wronged by the unauthorized disclosure of his tax information. The former IRS contractor responsible for the leak was prosecuted and sentenced. The issue is whether a settlement of that dispute can lawfully be used to grant sweeping protection from future IRS scrutiny. Legal experts, former IRS officials, and members of the judiciary have publicly questioned the scope and legality of the agreement. A federal judge has even reopened proceedings to examine the settlement and its implications.   If this precedent stands, it could invite future administrations to seek comparable protections for politically connected individuals. Congress has an obligation to determine whether executive branch officials possess the authority to confer such extraordinary benefits and whether this agreement is consistent with federal law and constitutional principles.   I urge you to: 1 Demand full public disclosure of all settlement documents and related communications. 2 Conduct immediate oversight hearings. 3 Require testimony from the Department of Justice officials who approved the agreement. 4 Pursue legislation making clear that no administration may exempt any individual, family, or business from lawful IRS examinations through executive settlement agreements. Equal justice under the law is not a partisan principle. It is a constitutional one. Congress should act swiftly to ensure that no American receives permanent immunity from lawful tax enforcement.

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