John Sauer says if US had to pay back all the taxes it illegally collected from consumers, it might ruin the country

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Reposted by Mike Masnick
https://bsky.app/profile/mmasnick.bsky.social

Raffi Melkonian
‪@rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social‬

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I don’t think I’m exaggerating that this letter is sanctionable. All of it is total nonsense. For one thing, no money has been paid or will be paid back.

‪emptywheel‬
‪@emptywheel.bsky.social‬
· 4h
John Sauer says that if the US had to pay back all the taxes it illegally collected from consumers, it might ruin the country.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
There is no substitute for the tariffs and deals that President Trump has made.
One year ago, the United States was a dead country, and now, because of the trillions
of dollars being paid by countries that have so badly abused us, America is a strong,
financially viable, and respected country again. If the United States were forced to
pay back the trillions of dollars committed to us, America could go from strength to
failure the moment such an incorrect decision took effect.
ALT
August 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM

I don’t think I’m exaggerating that this letter is sanctionable. All of it is total nonsense. For one thing, no money has been paid or will be paid back.

— Raffi Melkonian (@rmfifthcircuit.bsky.social) 2025-08-11T18:31:42.101Z

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Another example of inverted strategy and reality they live in.

Exactly the opposite is true, exactly the opposite is happening.

[alwaysinasnit]

2. It would only ruin the country if tsf and his minions have spent it all already.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Now They're Claiming Trillions?

Then why is there a deficit. The government should be flush with cash.
The entire deficit is well under $2 trillion.
This is totally fabricated.

[harumph]

4. This is such gibberish...I can't even