Trump’s Treasury Department just delivered sweet justice for two brave IRS agents who exposed the Hunter Biden tax scandal. Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler, once ostracized for revealing political interference, have now received prestigious promotions under the new administration. They’re in charge, now!
At a glance:
• IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have been promoted to Senior Adviser positions in the Treasury Department after exposing political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation
• They were removed from the Hunter Biden case in 2022 and faced retaliation after reporting obstruction by DOJ officials
• The U.S. Office of Special Counsel confirmed that the IRS issued illegal gag orders and improperly removed the whistleblowers
• They will serve as Senior Advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before moving to senior IRS leadership roles
• President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter in December 2024 after the whistleblowers’ actions led to the collapse of his “sweetheart deal”
Trump Administration Vindicates IRS Whistleblowers
IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler, who courageously exposed the Biden administration’s interference in Hunter Biden’s tax crimes investigation, have been promoted to leadership positions at the Treasury Department. And the Bidens should probably be concerned.
The agents faced significant retaliation after they revealed how political pressure had tainted the investigation into the president’s son, resulting in their removal from the case in December 2022.
The duo will now serve as Senior Advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing on reforming the tax agency before transitioning to senior IRS leadership roles. This promotion represents a complete reversal of fortune for the whistleblowers who were sidelined and ostracized under the previous administration for simply doing their jobs.
Whistleblowers Exposed Biden Administration Corruption
The Office of Special Counsel confirmed that the IRS illegally retaliated against Shapley and Ziegler after they reported obstruction by the Department of Justice and the Delaware US Attorney’s office. Their revelations were instrumental in the collapse of Hunter Biden’s so-called “sweetheart deal” on tax fraud and gun felonies, which would have allowed the president’s son to escape serious consequences.
“Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler put their entire careers on the line to stand up for the truth, and instead of being thanked, the Biden administration treated them like skunks at a picnic,” said Senator Chuck Grassley.
“Rewarding merit rather than retaliating against whistleblowers is exactly how government ought to work. At long last, I’m happy that’s finally what is happening for Gary and Joe. They earned these promotions through integrity and hard work for the American people,” Jason Foster of Empower Oversight, the organization representing the whistleblowers, also said.
Legal Battles Continue Despite Vindication
Shapley and Ziegler have filed a complaint against six IRS executives for retaliation, which remains pending with the Office of Special Counsel – so while their woes aren’t completely over, they will at least be able to help reform the agency that cost them so much. The whistleblowers also face a lawsuit from Hunter Biden, who claims unlawful disclosure of his tax returns, despite their insistence that they followed all laws and procedures in their disclosures.
President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter in December 2024 for offenses committed since January 1, 2014, a move widely criticized as an abuse of presidential power. The pardon came after the whistleblowers’ testimony helped expose the preferential treatment Hunter Biden received from Biden-appointed officials overseeing his case.
“We have been motivated by one singular mantra: do what’s right, and do it the right way. It has not been easy, but having a clear conscience is worth the effort,” Shapley and Ziegler said in a joint statement.
Well, now they can do what’s right from within the IRS.
