IRS whistleblowers have claimed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) tipped off Hunter Biden prior to a search of his storage unit. The testimony of two whistleblowers who worked directly on Hunter Biden’s tax evasion case outlines a worrying pattern of misconduct and abuse of power at the IRS and the FBI during the investigation into Biden.
This includes allegations of unequal tax law enforcement, DOJ interference in the investigation, and retaliation against the IRS employees who exposed the misconduct.
The Ways and Means Committee’s executive meeting, which culminated in a decision to make the testimony public, has cast a spotlight on the controversial handling of investigations into the tax crimes allegedly committed by President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. The whistleblowers’ testimony alleges that the DOJ intervened and overstepped in a bid to protect Hunter Biden, impeding the investigation into his alleged tax offenses and retaliating against IRS employees who exposed this abuse.
IRS employees who blew the whistle were reportedly subject to retaliation, despite IRS Commissioner Werfel’s prior commitment to upholding their legal protections. The whistleblowers were removed from the investigation after raising these concerns through the appropriate channels.
The allegations have provoked concern about the unequal treatment of citizens by law enforcement agencies, with the wealthy and politically connected seemingly given preferential treatment. “The American people deserve to know that when it comes to criminal enforcement, they are not on the same playing field as the wealthy and politically connected class,” stated Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
BREAKING: According to IRS whistleblowers, DOJ tipped off Hunter Biden about a search of his storage unit, prohibited investigators from executing a warrant on Joe Biden's guest house, and repeatedly prohibited charges from being brought against Hunter Biden.… pic.twitter.com/9j7H8BkqEe
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) June 22, 2023
Hunter Biden’s case starkly illustrates the issue. Despite IRS officials recommending charges of tax evasion, fraud, false statements, and willful failures to file returns, supply information, or pay taxes on over $8.3 million in income, Biden received preferential treatment during the investigation. It is alleged that the Justice Department used a “Delay, Divulge, and Deny” campaign according to the committee, which ultimately protected Hunter by allowing the statute of limitations on his tax crimes to pass.
These alleged tactics included recurring unjustified delays, such as hindrances in authenticating a message between Hunter Biden and Chinese officials. In a shocking claim, it was revealed that Hunter Biden’s attorneys were tipped off about actions relating to the investigation in advance. This occurred even as investigators had probable cause to search a Northern Virginia storage unit where Hunter Biden had stored files. Moreover, requests to bring charges against Hunter Biden were repeatedly denied, further impeding the investigation.
Despite these serious allegations, it seems that those who blew the whistle on the misconduct were met with hostility and retaliation, leading them to turn to the Ways and Means Committee. It appears that actions were taken to cut the IRS investigative team out of the process after they raised concerns, hampering their ability to work or advance.
“The Committee has acted in good faith with participation from both Democrats and Republicans, as the issues raised today ought to be a bipartisan concern. Hopefully we can find a path forward to continue to go where the facts lead us,” The Ways and Means Committee wrote in their statement.
“If the federal government is not treating all taxpayers equally, or if it is changing the rules to engineer a preferred outcome, Congress has a duty to ask why and to hold agencies accountable and consider appropriate legislative action. The scales of justice must not be skewed in favor of the wealthy and the politically connected.”
