IRS Expands Numbers Of Armed Agents Nationwide
This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirmed its plans to hire gun-carrying special agents across all 50 states, raising concerns about the Democrat-led expansion of the IRS and its potential to intimidate law-abiding citizens. This move comes on the heels of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated $80 billion in additional funding to the IRS over the next decade, primarily to combat tax evasion.
According to a posting on the agency’s website, the IRS seeks to fill positions within its Criminal Investigation (CI) division, which investigates financial crimes, money laundering, tax-related identity theft, and terrorist financing efforts. The IRS CI special agents are the only IRS employees authorized by law to carry firearms and make arrests.
During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Thursday, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel confirmed that the agency plans to hire approximately 1,200 armed agents due to the increased funding. This announcement has garnered significant attention and criticism, with some fearing that the expanded force could be used to target ordinary Americans.
Critics also point to a Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report revealing that IRS CI special agents accidentally discharged their firearms more often than intentionally fired them. This finding raises questions about the agents’ training and firearm safety, as well as the potential for harm to innocent bystanders.
Moreover, an OpenTheBooks report titled “The Militarization of U.S. Executive Agencies” highlights the extensive arsenal already held by the IRS CI division, including over 4,600 firearms and millions of rounds of ammunition. In addition, the report exposes the agency’s cavalier attitude towards firearm safety, with the IRS responding to a request for an inventory of its gun locker by stating, “We don’t have one [an inventory], but could create one for you, if important.”
The IRS’ decision to further arm its special agents has generated backlash from those who believe it could lead to the agency’s weaponization against ordinary, law-abiding Americans. As the IRS continues to expand its reach and power, the public must remain vigilant and ensure that this government agency does not overstep its boundaries or infringe on the rights of citizens.
