Emails reveal top IRS lawyer warned Trump firings were a “fraud” on the courts

Summary

Internal emails showing IRS lawyer Joseph Rillotta warned that termination letters for nearly 7,000 probationary (new hires) IRS employees contained false statements about performance considerations.

Despite his warnings about "fraud on tribunals," the Trump administration proceeded with the February mass firings using the disputed language.

Multiple federal lawsuits are challenging these terminations, with two judges temporarily blocking them.

Court filings show high-ranking Treasury officials ordered the firings without performance reviews, and both the IRS acting commissioner and personnel officials refused to sign the termination letters.