The IRS whistleblowers who exposed how the Biden administration interfered in the investigation of Hunter Biden’s tax violations have been appointed to key positions in the Treasury Department. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler will serve as senior advisors focused on IRS reform and accountability.
Shapley and Ziegler faced intense retaliation for speaking out about political interference in the Hunter Biden case. Their congressional testimony revealed that Department of Justice officials blocked search warrants, refused to charge Biden in key jurisdictions and allowed the statute of limitations to expire on serious tax offenses.
Sec. Scott Bessent Says He Promoted IRS Whistleblowers to Leadership Roles at the Treasury Department
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Appearing on Fox Business, Bessent said he personally brought the two whistleblowers into Treasury after meeting them at Trump’s address to Congress. “I decided I would bring them in, give them a year to investigate the wrongdoing at the IRS, and then they will go back in and serve in leadership roles,” he said. Shapley will now serve as senior deputy for investigations and enforcement.
Their appointment comes after the Office of Special Counsel found that the IRS had illegally retaliated against both agents. The OSC determined that the agency could not justify its decision to remove them from the Hunter Biden case, issue gag orders or reduce their duties, calling it an act of political retaliation.
Shapley and Ziegler released a statement expressing their commitment to fixing the agency. “We have been motivated by one singular mantra: do what’s right,” they said, emphasizing their desire to hold corrupt officials accountable. Watchdog groups hailed their appointments as a victory for transparency and accountability.
Empower Oversight, which represents the whistleblowers, praised Bessent’s decision, saying the two agents “have never been motivated by accolades, just an underlying desire to do what was right.” The group added that their firsthand experience in dealing with the agency’s corruption will help drive much-needed reform.
Republicans in Congress have blasted the IRS for its handling of the Biden case, with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith stating that the agency “illegally punished two decorated investigators for doing their duty.” With Shapley and Ziegler now leading efforts to investigate wrongdoing within the agency, their findings could bring further accountability to those responsible for shielding Hunter Biden.
