1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

As your constituent, I am writing about a glaring ethics loophole that allows a sitting president to sue his own government and have his own appointees settle the case. Earlier this year, President Trump sued the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion. Todd Blanche—then acting Attorney General and Trump's former personal defense lawyer—signed a settlement for the Justice Department creating a $1.8 billion slush fund and barring the IRS from pursuing past tax claims against Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization. In July, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams nullified the deal, ruling the suit was brought "for an improper purpose" and referring attorneys involved for bar discipline. Blanche claims the fund is "dead," yet non-binding assurances are nowhere near enough: - Still live in court: Both Trump and Blanche's own Justice Department are actively appealing Judge Williams's ruling to the 11th Circuit—keeping the IRS audit shield alive. - Reversible by memo: Departing Sens. Cornyn and Tillis held up Blanche's confirmation until receiving written assurances that the fund was dead, but agency memos can be rescinded at any time. - Two-tier justice: The settlement exempted one wealthy family from tax audits while ordinary Americans face full IRS enforcement. Roughly half of voters in AP's poll called government corruption crucial to their vote, and 88% in an October Fox News poll were extremely or very concerned about it. Barring self-dealing settlements applies equally to whoever holds the White House. Before the 119th Congress adjourns, I urge you to: 1. Pass the BLANCHE Act of 2026 (H.R. 9210) and H.R. 8914, voiding collusive presidential settlements without independent court certification and blocking Judgment Fund payouts. 2. Cosponsor and pass the Ban Presidential Plunder of Taxpayer Funds Act (S. 4299 / H.R. 8309), barring a sitting President, VP, or their families from collecting settlement payments from the government they lead. 3. Add language to year-end funding barring Judgment Fund or Treasury payouts to those individuals and prohibiting funds to revive the $1.8 billion fund or enforce executive audit exemptions. No official should act as both plaintiff and defendant against the taxpayer. Congress holds the power of the purse—close this loophole now.