A high-ranking official from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reportedly arrived at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday noon, to commence investigations on the tax agency’s operations.
According to a Reuters exclusive, Gavin Kliger, a top staffer working alongside Elon Musk in the federal efficiency initiative, met with senior IRS executives at the agency’s Washington headquarters, according to sources familiar with the visit.
Kliger’s arrival comes just days after a poll on Musk’s social media platform, X, which saw over 92% support for DOGE to scrutinize the IRS.
🚨 #BREAKING: DOGE officials have just entered the IRS building in DC to begin their investigation into the agency
This comes after 𝕏 users OVERWHELMINGLY voted for DOGE to dig into the IRS just days ago.
WE THE PEOPLE are in charge of our government again! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8SFS9CwMss
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 13, 2025
The visit occurred ahead of Trump’s Oval Office signing ceremony for his new reciprocal tariff agenda. It marks the first time a DOGE official has made an appearance at the tax-collecting agency, continuing its government wide focus on identifying fraudulent spending.
IRS under Musk’s microscope
Musk, who Trump has tasked with leading cost-cutting measures across federal agencies, has long targeted the IRS. As early as last November, the Tesla CEO had started asking his followers if the tax agency needs to be audited.
BREAKING: Elon Musk says it’s time to audit the IRS.
“Time to audit the auditors”
Thoughts? We value your input. pic.twitter.com/NWSEslc0YE
— MAGA Resource (@MAGAResource) November 27, 2024
During his push to support Trump’s re-election, Musk sarcastically took a dig at the IRS, stating, “I’m the largest individual taxpayer in history. I paid $10 billion in tax. I sort of thought maybe the IRS would send me a little trophy or something, but I didn’t get anything, not even a cookie.”
Speaking to reporters in a press briefing at the White House, When asked about DOGE’s probe into the IRS, Trump called DOGE’s probe into the IRS “a good job.”
“The Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody. Just about everybody is going to be looked at,” the US President reckoned.
According to an email seen by Reuters, senior IRS executives were instructed on Thursday to identify all “non-essential” contracts for termination. The directive, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), mandates a review of consulting contracts, particularly those classified as producing reports, research, coaching, or other non-critical materials.
Government shakeups IRS leadership
On December 5, President Trump nominated former Missouri Representative Billy Long to serve as the new IRS commissioner, though he awaits Senate confirmation. However, pending Long’s approval, the agency’s leadership has already seen changes, with former commissioner Daniel Werfel resigning on Inauguration Day rather than face termination. Douglas O’Donnell, a longtime civil servant, is currently serving as the agency’s acting commissioner.
The Republican-led effort to scale back the IRS follows the agency’s $80 billion funding boost under President Joe Biden in 2022, which was aimed at improving taxpayer services, modernizing technology, and increasing enforcement on high-income individuals and corporations.
GOP lawmakers are head strong on clawing back portions of this funding, which allegedly backed over 80,000 agents to audit American citizens, opposing expanded enforcement efforts.
The left had no problem when 80,000 IRS agents were hired to audit American taxpayers.
Yet when Elon Musk wants to uncover all the corruption and unnecessary spending that’s been going on for years..
Now all of a sudden you’re mad about it.. pic.twitter.com/JIsHfDG00Y
— KᗴᒪᒪᗴY ✰ (@Patriotmom717) February 6, 2025
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) reinforced this stance in a letter to O’Donnell on Thursday, calling the IRS’s current operations “unacceptable” and listing concerns about its oversight and spending.
Musk’s influence is causing Democrats a headache
Musk’s personal involvement in government operations continues to strike Democratic policymakers’ nerves.
Per several reports on social media, the Tesla CEO’s allies allegedly “deleted,” or took control of 18F, a federal agency that assists with technology projects, including the IRS’s Direct File program pioneered by Senator Elizabeth Warren, which offers free online tax preparation.
The claim led to widespread confusion over whether Direct File remained available, though the system is still functional for the current tax season.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) condemned DOGE’s review of the IRS, arguing that Musk’s team now has access to sensitive taxpayer data. “Musk’s henchmen are in a position to dig through a trove of data about every taxpayer in America,” Wyden said.
The Democratic senator also warned that DOGE’s audit could result in delays for 2024 tax refunds. “And if your refund is delayed, they could very well be the reason.”
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