DOGE Will Audit the IRS!

by Joe

2-minute read

On Thursday, President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) investigation into claims of fraud and mismanagement within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Trump has been a vocal critic of the IRS, often asserting during his 2024 campaign that the agency unfairly targets conservatives for political reasons. Shortly after taking office in January, the president proposed dismantling the IRS and replacing it with a new External Revenue Office. He and his supporters argue that revenue generated from tariffs implemented during his administration would more than compensate for the loss of federal income taxes.

“Nearly everyone will be under review. They’re doing an incredible job—truly remarkable,” Trump said. “I call them the force of super-geniuses. They’re making progress, engaging with people, and discussing certain policies. It’s impressive how well they understand the issues. These are very sharp individuals.”

Reports indicate that Gavin Kliger and other DOGE officials arrived at IRS headquarters on Thursday afternoon, just ahead of Trump’s Oval Office signing ceremony for his new reciprocal tariff policy. During the event, Trump told reporters, “The Internal Revenue Service will be scrutinized just like everyone else.” He emphasized that he is personally overseeing DOGE’s investigations, though he has not yet specified which government entities might be exempt from scrutiny.

Earlier in the week, Elon Musk hinted that DOGE’s focus might extend to Social Security, the nation’s primary retirement benefits program, which Trump had vowed to protect during his campaign. Musk claimed, without providing evidence, that DOGE had identified individuals listed as beneficiaries who were either “150 years old” or lacked proper identification.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) raised concerns about the implications of DOGE’s audit, suggesting that it could give Musk’s team unprecedented access to sensitive taxpayer data. Wyden also speculated that the audit might be responsible for potential delays in processing 2024 tax refunds.