Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refuses to say whether Trump remains exempt from IRS audits

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Politics
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refuses to say whether Trump remains exempt from IRS audits

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the Senate Committee on Finance, Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

By FATIMA HUSSEIN
Updated 8:16 PM EDT, June 3, 2026
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused to say Wednesday whether President Donald Trump and his family would still get immunity from IRS audits after the administration abandoned plans for a $1.776 billion compensation fund that would have benefited the president’s allies.

“There’s continuing litigation, and I’m unable to comment on ongoing litigation,” Bessent told lawmakers at the Senate Finance Committee hearing.

It was a frustrating answer for Democratic lawmakers looking to get answers from Bessent at a hearing ostensibly focused on the Treasury Department’s budget and came a day after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche seemed to indicate that the portion of the settlement dealing with the IRS audit immunity would still be in effect for the Republican president.

After several failed attempts to get Bessent to answer, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said, “It’s been very clear you’re dodging this and you’re trying to use it as an excuse. It’s just outrageous on behalf of the American public.”

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[AZLD4Candidate]

1. Translation from the smug faced little worm: Yes he is, but I won't go on the record to say it.

[themaguffin]

2. demonstrating why he has that job