A group of senior Congressional Republicans are demanding an investigation into what they call "unlawful whistleblower retaliation against veteran IRS employees" involved in an investigation into the president's son, Hunter Biden.
In a letter sent Wednesday to special counsel Henry Kerner, whose office is responsible for investigating claims of retaliation against federal whistleblowers, Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson and Reps. Jason Smith, James Comer and Jim Jordan said IRS officials violated "anti-gag" rules that protect federal employees. The letter is the latest effort by Republicans to seize on whistleblowers' allegations that investigators were impeded by supervisors during their yearslong probe. They are also requesting a briefing on steps taken by Kerner's office by July 19.
In the letter they cited two internal emails by IRS administrators. In one, GOP lawmakers allege a special agent in charge reminded personnel on May 19 that case information could not be shared without "seeking approval" from a supervisor. In another, sent on May 25, GOP lawmakers allege an IRS deputy commissioner wrote in an email that the agency is "deeply committed" to whistleblower protections, but the Republicans said the email "fails to inform IRS employees of their Constitutional and statutory right to make protected disclosures to Congress."
"The Deputy Commissioner's email states IRS employees may make (disclosures) to a supervisor, management, the DOJ Office of the Inspector...
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