A federal judge said something this week that should concern every American, regardless of their politics.
Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that President Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS was filed for an “improper purpose.”
Think about that.
Not “weak.”
Not “unpersuasive.”
Not merely “dismissed.”
Improper purpose.
I wrote about this in May, questioning the lawsuit’s validity and Trump’s motives. I’m pleased Judge Williams agreed.
According to the judge, the lawsuit was used to lend judicial legitimacy to a settlement with no basis in law—one that would have benefited the president, shielded him from certain IRS scrutiny, and earmarked nearly $1.8 billion in taxpayer Money for an “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” She threw out the settlement and referred the attorneys for possible disciplinary or ethics review.
This case was unprecedented.
A sitting President sued an executive agency that ultimately answered to him. His own Justice Department negotiated the settlement. In effect, the country’s Chief Executive controlled both sides of the litigation and asked a federal judge to bless the arrangement.
It is no surprise to this writer that the judge said “no” in rather harsh terms.
Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, you should be pleased with this result, pleased that our system of checks and balances worked for a change. Courts exist to resolve real disputes—not to provide judicial cover for political or personal deals or schemes.
A grift is commonly defined as a scheme to obtain money or other benefits through deception, manipulation, or dishonest means.
Judge Williams chose different words, more professional terminology. She ruled that this lawsuit was filed for an “improper purpose” and amounted to an attempt to manipulate the judicial process.
Improper purpose? Grift? Both? Something else? I’ll let you decide which description fits that president’s actions and intent in this case.
Mark M. Bello
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and award-winning author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series, ripped-from-the-headlines, realistic fiction that speaks truth to power and champions the rights of citizens in our justice system. These novels are dedicated to the social justice movement. They educate, spark discussion, and inspire readers to action. One of these was “Betrayal of Justice, a blistering novel about presidential misconduct and hypocrisy” For more information, please visit www.markmbello.com.
For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.
Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).
After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.
His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.
Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.
Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .
In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.
The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.
The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.
