This is our flagship newsletter Morning Wire. You can subscribe here and we’ll email it to you daily.In the news today: A judge says that Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS was filed for an “improper purpose” and refers one of his lawyers for possible disciplinary action; an ICE agent’s killing of a Maine motorist is at least the ninth death in the Trump administration’s mass deportations campaign; and states challenge Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Also, inside AP’s coverage of the World Cup as the competition narrows to four teams.
President Donald Trump speaks on West Executive Drive at the White House during a showcase for the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Judge says Trump IRS lawsuit was filed for ‘improper purpose,’ refers lawyer for possible disciplineU.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams accused President Donald Trump and his lawyers in a scathing ruling of having manipulated the court system when he sued a federal agency under his control, bypassing a requirement that parties in a lawsuit must have adverse interests. Read more.Why this matters:The judge stopped short of explicitly voiding the deal shielding Trump from tax scrutiny but said the government cannot claim in official proceedings that the agreement was the result of a legitimate legal process.Though the practical impacts of the ruling may be limited since the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed months ago and the administration has already abandoned the $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” that came out of it, the order nonetheless amounts to a scathing rebuke and tees up a politically uncomfortable line of questioning for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as he faces the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.Related coverage →FACT FOCUS: Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death spurs false claimsSister Darline Graham Nordone will serve remainder of his termQuestions linger about aging politicians and health transparencyAortic tear blamed in Graham’s sudden death is a fast-killing emergencyWhat to know about Trump’s order shrinking the size of 2 national monuments in UtahAbortion rights are on the ballot in 4 states. Here’s what to knowSupreme Court justices to testify before Congress on increasing security funding in rare appearance
