The House Republican majority is demanding answers about potential retaliation against IRS whistleblowers who brought claims of political influence in the Hunter Biden investigation to Congress. The focus of their investigation is on the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which they believe may have contributed to alleged retaliation and a ‘smear campaign’ against IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler.
In June, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.) initiated an investigation into the OSC’s possible involvement. Fox News exclusively reported on the initial letter requesting a briefing to assess whether there had been improper influence surrounding the IRS whistleblowers’ claims.
The lawmakers are now escalating their efforts. On Friday, Comer, Jordan, and Smith sent another letter to the acting principal deputy special counsel, Karen Gorman, demanding answers. Their concerns stem from a recent development: Shapley’s attorney revealed that, just an hour after an investigative journalist released an interview with the whistleblowers discussing damaging evidence, the IRS issued Shapley a 15-day notice to accept a demotion or resign.
Shapley and Ziegler have been vocal about their experiences. They sat down with a journalist on Tuesday to discuss their disclosures to Congress and the consequences they have faced. Shapley stated that the IRS is “hoping that I quit, that they find some way to terminate me… Or they probably hope that I commit suicide or something.” The lawmakers argue that the IRS’s actions, coming so soon after the interview, appear to be a retaliatory response.
The lawmakers are demanding that the OSC investigate the IRS’s decision and seek a stay at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board to pause the IRS’s “threatening action.” They emphasize the courage displayed by Shapley and Ziegler in their whistleblowing, stating that their disclosures revealed how the IRS treats individuals differently based on their last names.
The House Republicans are determined to protect these whistleblowers. They are calling for the OSC to take “appropriate and immediate action to stand up for whistleblowers” and ensure that those who expose wrongdoing are not subjected to retaliation.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the IRS and OSC for comment on the matter.
