Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dodged questions on Thursday about President Donald Trump's lawsuit against his department and the Internal Revenue Service, instructing senators to send their inquiries to the Justice Department instead. 

Trump sued the department and agency last week for $10 billion over allegations they failed to prevent a former IRS contractor from leaking his tax returns, and those of his sons and his company, to news outlets.

The lawsuit is related to former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized disclosure of tax information in 2023, referring to the president's tax records, and was sentenced to five years in prison. 

Bessent told the Senate Banking Committee in a hearing that he had not spoken with Trump or the White House about the lawsuit, stating that he defers to the Justice Department and that he had no say when it comes to the lawsuit.

"The Justice Department represents Treasury. I would suggest you contact the Justice [Department]" for further information, Bessent told Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego, according to Reuters. 

The senator also asked Bessent whether it would be a conflict of interest for the Treasury to pay Trump in the lawsuit since the president was his boss, but Bessent dodged the question again.

"I think you're confused, senator. I am not part of the decision," Bessent insisted.

Bessent did confirm that the payment, if Trump wins, would come from the Treasury General Account, which he oversees, but said that he will "follow the law." 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.