Lawfare Daily: Trump Sues Self, Settles

Donald Trump has achieved the legal paradox of suing himself—filing a civil case against the federal government over leaked tax returns, then settling it on terms that grant him sweeping immunity and create a $1.776 billion slush fund for political allies. The settlement, orchestrated by Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously represented Trump in criminal cases, raises profound constitutional and ethical questions. While the lawsuit itself had weak legal footing—facing statute of limitations and jurisdictional hurdles—the real scandal lies in the unprecedented use of the Judgment Fund to finance a politically motivated fund with no connection to the original plaintiff. Worse, a separate, post-settlement declaration grants Trump and his family immunity from any future federal enforcement actions, effectively creating a legal shield for past conduct. Critics argue this violates the separation of powers, the principle of adversarial litigation, and the First Amendment by favoring one political viewpoint over another. Even Blanche’s own ethics are under fire: as a former attorney for Trump, his role in crafting both the fund and immunity deal constitutes a clear conflict of interest, yet no meaningful accountability appears imminent. The episode concludes with a chilling implication: the rule of law has been weaponized not just against political opponents, but in favor of a former president who now controls the very institutions meant to hold him accountable.