Staff Reports
In yet another example of bureaucratic overreach, IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler have taken their case for justice and accountability to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. These two brave men, who dared to expose governmental misconduct in the investigation of Hunter Biden’s taxes, are now seeking redress for the retaliation they suffered as a result of their courageous disclosures. The IRS has been caught with its hand in the cookie jar of political favoritism, and now its whistleblowers are feeling the heat for daring to shine a light on the scandal.
The IRS whistleblowers allege they’ve been marginalized, isolated, and stripped of their investigative responsibilities—all for the crime of sticking their necks out. Their courageous revelations revealed significant political interference in the case against Hunter Biden, which could have allowed Daddy Biden to sweep his son’s legal troubles under the rug. Instead of being celebrated as heroes for their transparency, these agents now find themselves at the mercy of the very agency that should be protecting them.
The Office of Special Counsel previously confirmed that the IRS acted inappropriately when it retaliated against these whistleblowers. In a dispiriting twist, however, the OSC did not rule in favor of all claims put forth by Shapley, particularly those regarding promotions and other forms of retribution. This appears to be a classic case of the deep state protecting its own, leaving these IRS agents fuming in frustration. All they wanted was to do their jobs and uphold the law, yet here they are, tangled in a web of bureaucratic red tape and a system that protects the guilty.
The whistleblowers are fighting back, demanding corrective action from both the IRS and the Department of Justice. After exposing potential conflicts of interest and preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden tax investigation, Shapley and Ziegler thwarted a plea deal that could have allowed the younger Biden to waltz away without facing the music. Instead, their revelations led to real charges, which were tragically erased by questionable presidential pardons issued by Joseph Biden. Clearly, the swamp is alive and well, and it’s hungry for more cover-ups.
IRS whistleblowers file complaint with U.S. merit board over retaliation, seek corrective action #news https://t.co/oRZ37W8gdw via @JustTheNews
— Filtered News (@filterednews) February 27, 2025
Empower Oversight, the whistleblower organization advocating for these agents, is right to declare that the system designed to protect whistleblowers is irreparably broken. As these dedicated civil servants remain in a hostile work environment, it’s impossible not to imagine how this will affect future attempts to speak out against wrongdoing. If the IRS can retaliate against its employees without consequences, anyone who considers whistleblowing will undoubtedly think twice, knowing that the bureaucratic machine will pounce without hesitation.
The IRS and the Department of Justice have yet to take any corrective actions, leaving Shapley and Ziegler to work under the very leadership that has allegedly targeted them. It’s a chilling reminder of the perilous climate for whistleblowers in today’s government—where following the law can lead to punishment instead of praise. As the battle continues, it’s time for those with integrity to demand accountability from an agency that seems more interested in silencing the truth than seeking justice.
