A hearing with IRS agents about the government allegedly mishandling Hunter Biden’s tax case providing several newsworthy moments.
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Wednesday held a hearing with two IRS whistleblowers who allege the government’s investigation into Hunter Biden was mishandled.
The whistleblowers repeated claims they previously told Congress about how IRS investigators recommended charging President Joe Biden’s son with crimes more severe than the two tax misdemeanors to which he agreed to plead guilty last month. (Hunter Biden also struck a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve a felony gun charge.)
House Republicans have used allegations from the whistleblowers to argue that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has given favor to the Biden family while unfairly targeting conservatives. Democrats have said the hearing was being used by the GOP as a distraction from former President Donald Trump’s legal cases.
The hours-long hearing featured several fiery exchanges and accusations. Below are five of the most notable moments.
Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, the identity of one of the IRS whistleblowers had been concealed. The hearing revealed his identity to be Joseph Ziegler, a special agent of the IRS for 13 years who identifies as a gay Democrat.
His supervisor and fellow whistleblower, 14-year IRS veteran Gary Shapley, was seated next to him throughout the hearing.
„I hope that I am an example to other LGBT people out there, who are questioning doing the right thing at a potential cost to themselves and others,“ Ziegler said during opening statements.
