IRS in the headlines over a proposed $1.7–$1.8B fund tied to Trump allies and legal battles surrounding his tax records.
The IRS is accelerating its shift to digital payments, with refunds now primarily sent via direct deposit. This change may cause delays of six weeks or more for some taxpayers, especially those who did not provide bank details, raising concerns about hardship for vulnerable groups amid increased fraud risks.
Over 53 million taxpayers have claimed new deductions introduced by President Trump’s tax law, resulting in an average refund increase of 11.1%. Many workers report receiving thousands of dollars more, but confusion and delays have caused some to miss filing deadlines and increased scam risks. The IRS is also facing staffing challenges.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has been sold to a nonprofit, ensuring its future amid industry decline. The sale follows the revival of the Pittsburgh City Paper, which returned under new ownership. These moves reflect ongoing efforts to sustain local journalism facing financial challenges.
HM Revenue & Customs has been issuing P800 tax calculation letters to taxpayers owed refunds. However, around 730,000 refunds remain unclaimed, totaling an estimated £624 million. Taxpayers are encouraged to check their eligibility and submit claims within four years of the tax year. Online claims are processed within five days.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted 43 individuals tied to the Mexican Mafia in a sweeping operation across Orange County, with cases spanning murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. Authorities have seized firearms, cash and narcotics as part of the ongoing effort to disrupt the gang’s reach from prisons to the streets.
California Democrats confront national tensions as impeachment talk resurfaces. A California Democrat has said impeachment isn’t off the table, while Trump faces new legal and political pressure. The debate plays into a broader midterm calculu s as voters weigh leadership and accountability.
Since mid May, multiple outlets have reported that the Justice Department has reached a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and barring existing IRS audits of Trump, his family and affiliates. Critics, courts and lawmakers have raised legal and ethical objections; separate reporting shows Trump is also directing high-profile public-works projects and White House renovations that are drawing criticism over cost and optics.
A federal court has reopened scrutiny of the $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund linked to a settlement with the IRS, while lawmakers question its legality and governance. Former judges and Republican and Democratic actors are weighing in as the arrangement draws bipartisan opposition.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has said the Justice Department will not proceed with the $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund created under a settlement with President Donald Trump, while a separate provision shielding Trump and his family from audits of past tax returns remains in place. The fund faced bipartisan backlash and a federal judge has paused its implementation.
The Senate has passed a roughly $70 billion three-year funding bill for ICE and Border Patrol. The vote follows days of intra-party debate over a controversial settlement fund that could pay allies tied to the January 6 episode. Amendments to ban or repurpose the fund have failed, and the bill now heads to the House.
The White House has moved to nominate Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, potentially extending his interim tenure beyond 210 days. The move follows debates over an $1.8 billion fund linked to the administration and signals a likely Senate fight as Republicans weigh support.
The president has pressed Congress to approve a $1.776 billion “weaponization fund” to compensate those prosecuted after the January 6 riot, despite court challenges and political opposition. In a televised interview, he has argued that lives have been destroyed and vows to push for the payout, while opponents warn of political toxicity.