Appeals court upholds sanctions on Trump and his lawyers in IRS lawsuit
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause sanctions imposed by Judge Kathleen Williams on Donald Trump, his sons, the Trump Organization and their attorneys.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta rejected a request to suspend sanctions that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams imposed on Donald Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and two of their lawyers. Williams concluded the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was filed in bad faith, aiming to manipulate the legal system rather than protect rights, and ordered the parties barred from referring to the settlement as valid in any future proceedings.
She also referred attorney Alejandro Brito to Florida disciplinary authorities and barred Daniel Epstein from appearing in the Southern District of Florida for a year. The appeals court’s refusal to stay the sanctions means they remain active as the appeal continues, despite arguments that the order infringes on First Amendment speech rights. The case stems from a January filing over alleged unauthorized tax-record leaks, which was withdrawn in May after a controversial agreement with Justice Department officials. The ongoing dispute highlights concerns about the use of litigation to secure governmental benefits.
Why it matters
The decision keeps sanctions in place, signaling courts will punish perceived misuse of the legal system by high-profile litigants.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report that the appeals court refused to block the sanctions, leaving them in place.
LEFT
Frames the decision as a reaffirmation of sanctions against a lawsuit deemed filed in bad faith to manipulate the legal system.
CENTER
Frames the decision as a procedural denial of an emergency motion, noting the parties failed to show a likelihood of overturning the sanctions.
The left emphasises
- Judge Williams concluded the lawsuit was filed in bad faith
- The suit was aimed at manipulating the legal system rather than protecting rights
- Sanctions remain active despite arguments they infringe on the First Amendment
How this story developed
- Sep 17 Judge blocks Trump administration from demolishing the Kennedy Center without advance notice
- Sep 20 Kerry Kennedy praised Joyce Beatty as a national hero for defending the Kennedy Center’s historic name.
- Sep 24 Press operations director Micah Stopperich began reinstating the badges at 7:25 am, with the Secret Service confirming they were fully restored by 9:07 am and returned to the press gate for pickup around 9:55 am.
- Sep 24 Judge Kelly dismissed the administration’s national‑security justification for the ban.
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