This week, Lisa and David talk about March Madness; George Forman; Jesse Watters’ mom is mad now; Commerce Secretary Lutnick says only "fraudsters" would complain about missing a Social Security check; "Sin of Empathy" a Christian Nationalists meme; death of former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber in charge of high-profile cases targeting CIA leaks, Russian fraud, stirring suspicions of foul play; man escapes alleged 20 year captivity by his stepmother; Paul Weiss law firm caves to Trump; Columbia University caves to Trump; IRS data sharing risks; Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act — a statute from 1798 previously only invoked during wartime — to expel alleged Venezuelan gang members without due process; Lindsey Vonn becomes oldest woman ever to podium at World Cup; Dolly Parton has first No. 1 on a Billboard Chart; JFK document dump; Twitter/X cesspool; Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique; and more.
The IRS ICE Deal, Why it Matters
The following is excerpted from Herman Legal Group.
The potential deal would allow immigration authorities to access confidential tax information to aid in identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants—marking a significant shift in how taxpayer data is used.
This process raises significant legal and privacy concerns, as it involves the sharing of sensitive taxpayer information and highlights the tension between immigration enforcement and taxpayer protections.
Federal law (26 U.S. Code § 6103) strictly limits the disclosure of tax return information.
Taxpayer data is only supposed to be shared with certain authorized agencies (like the FBI for criminal investigations), and DHS/ICE are not on that list. Even for criminal violations, disclosure typically requires court approval.
Immigrant rights groups argue this agreement could break the law and betray the trust that undocumented taxpayers have placed in the IRS.
Allowing ICE to tap into IRS data may damage the public trust that’s essential to voluntary tax compliance.
“If people fear their tax data could be used against them for deportation, they may stop filing taxes altogether,” one senior IRS official reportedly warned.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Civil liberties groups argue the agreement would stretch legal boundaries and set a dangerous precedent for the weaponization of sensitive federal data.
“This isn’t just about taxes—it’s about privacy, due process, and the line between civil enforcement and surveillance,” said a spokesperson for the ACLU.
Key Quotes from Advocates
Nandan Joshi, lead attorney at Public Citizen:
“The IRS must disclose the terms of this unprecedented agreement. Congress created taxpayer confidentiality laws after the Nixon administration abused tax data. That history must not be repeated.”
Kevin Herrera, Legal Director of Raise the Floor Alliance:
“This is reckless and unprecedented. If immigrants cannot trust the IRS to keep their information private, the integrity of the entire tax system could collapse.”
Their legal argument: Federal tax law prohibits this kind of data-sharing unless Congress specifically allows it, and DHS/ICE are not exempted.
Potential Impact: Fear, Non-Compliance, and Data Abuse
If finalized, this agreement could have wide-reaching consequences:
Trust in the IRS could erode, especially among undocumented communities and suspected undocumented immigrants who previously felt safe filing taxes under current confidentiality protections.
Fewer ITIN filers may come forward, hurting tax revenue and pushing more workers into the cash-based underground economy.
Broader implications: This could set a precedent for other agencies seeking access to IRS data for unrelated enforcement purposes.
Reaction after Columbia University agrees to Trump
"By giving in to the Trump administration's demands, Columbia sets a dangerous precedent that normalizes government intrusion on academic freedom and student expression," NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. "Instead of standing up for academic freedom, its core mission, and its faculty and students, Columbia has capitulated to the bullies. The law was on Columbia's side, but the university hasn't given the slightest public hint of resistance." - ABC7 NY
Links:
David’s Tusk and Quill Podcast Appearance (Tusk and Quill)
Behold the Strange Spectacle of Christians Against Empathy (NY Times)
Paul Weiss Is Showing Trump What He Can Get Away With (Balls and Strikes)
Reaction after Columbia University caves to Trump administration demands (ABC7 NY)
Implications of IRS Deal to Share Info with ICE (Herman Legal Group)
They were called gang members and deported. Families say their only crime was having tattoos (LA Times)
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