Two IRS agents who dared to expose the political cover-up of Hunter Biden’s tax crimes have been rewarded with top Treasury positions after facing blatant retaliation from the Biden administration.
At a Glance
- IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have been appointed as senior advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- They previously exposed political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation and were removed from the case
- The Office of Special Counsel confirmed the IRS illegally retaliated against them for their whistleblowing
- Their promotions are viewed as vindication after facing ostracism under the Biden administration
- The whistleblowers will focus on tax agency reform before moving to senior IRS leadership roles
From Whistleblowers to Senior Advisers
In a refreshing display of merit-based staffing that we rarely see from the federal government, IRS agents Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have been elevated to senior positions at the Treasury Department after they courageously exposed the political machinations that hampered the Hunter Biden tax investigation. These patriotic civil servants, who faced shameful retaliation under the Biden administration, will now serve as senior advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, focusing specifically on much-needed IRS reforms before eventually transitioning to senior leadership roles within the tax agency itself.
The agents’ whistleblowing led to the collapse of Hunter Biden’s sweetheart plea deal on tax and gun charges – a deal that would have let the president’s son escape with minimal consequences. Instead of being thanked for their dedication to equal justice under law, Shapley and Ziegler were systematically removed from the Hunter Biden investigation in December 2022 after reporting obstruction by the Department of Justice and the Delaware US Attorney’s office. This is exactly the kind of two-tiered justice system Americans are fed up with.
— Empower Oversight (@EMPOWR_us) February 27, 2025
Retaliation and Vindication
The Biden-era retaliation against these whistleblowers wasn’t subtle. After filing legally protected disclosures about the preferential treatment Hunter Biden was receiving, the agents were unceremoniously yanked from the investigation and subjected to what can only be described as institutional punishment for daring to stand up for equal application of the law. Even the U.S. Office of Special Counsel – hardly a bastion of right-wing ideology – confirmed that the IRS issued illegal gag orders and improperly removed the whistleblowers from the investigation.
“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. Far too many whistleblowers share a similar experience of retaliation. I hope today is the first of many redemption stories for whistleblowers who’ve been mistreated. By taking a stand for whistleblowers, President Trump and his cabinet are ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability.” – Grassley
The saga grew even more disturbing when Hunter Biden’s legal team filed a lawsuit against the IRS, claiming unlawful disclosure of his tax returns. Meanwhile, the whistleblowers have filed their own complaint against six IRS executives for retaliation, which remains pending. In a particularly rich twist of irony, the whistleblowers were forced to file a defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s lawyer after being smeared for simply doing their jobs and telling the truth.
A New Era of Accountability
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has rightly recognized the value these principled men bring to the table, praising their expertise and integrity in driving cultural reform within an IRS that has increasingly been weaponized against everyday Americans while giving special treatment to the politically connected. This stands in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s approach, which culminated in President Biden pardoning his son in December 2024 – a blatant abuse of presidential power that the mainstream media largely shrugged off.
“We are enormously grateful to Secretary Bessent, Senator Grassley, and all of the members of Congress for their leadership and trust. 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. We appreciate the opportunity Secretary Bessent is giving us to put our experience and firsthand knowledge to good use for the American people to eliminate waste and reform the IRS.” – Shapley and Ziegler
The promotions of Shapley and Ziegler send a powerful message that the era of government agencies running roughshod over whistleblowers is coming to an end. Senator Chuck Grassley, a longtime advocate for whistleblower protections, has rightfully championed their cause, emphasizing that transparency and accountability in government cannot exist without protecting those brave enough to expose corruption. As Americans grow increasingly weary of the administrative state’s unchecked power, these appointments represent a small but significant step toward restoring faith in our institutions.
