Staff Reports
An IRS agent has made an unusual visit to the home of journalist Matt Taibbi, raising concern about potential intimidation by the federal government. Taibbi, who had just testified about the weaponization of the government at the House Judiciary Committee, received a note from the IRS agent instructing him to call them four days later. This action has House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan demanding answers from IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, questioning the timing and circumstances of the visit.
'What an Amazing Coincidence': Here's Who Showed Up at Matt Taibbi's Door the Day He Testified https://t.co/jMR0YlXI5u
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 28, 2023
The IRS agent claims that Taibbi’s 2018 and 2021 tax returns were rejected due to identity theft concerns. However, Taibbi has provided documentation showing that his 2018 return was accepted electronically and that the IRS never notified him of any issues. The rejection of his 2021 return has also been refuted by Taibbi’s accountants, who refiled it with an IRS-provided pin number. The real question remains: when did the IRS start making surprise house calls? This kind of behavior is unprecedented and causes unnecessary concern for taxpayers.
While @mtaibbi & I were testifying before Congress on the weaponization of the federal government, an IRS agent showed up at his house. What an amazing coincidence https://t.co/gRGSIa3HRr
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) March 28, 2023
For those asking, I don’t want to comment on the IRS issue pending an answer to chairman @Jim_Jordan’s letter. I’m not worried for myself, but I did feel the Committee should be aware of the situation.
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) March 28, 2023
It’s no coincidence that Taibbi’s visit happened on the same day that he testified about censorship and the relationship between social media platforms and government officials. Twitter Files journalist Michael Shellenberger, who also testified alongside Taibbi, called the visit an “amazing coincidence.” This action by the IRS raises serious questions about the government’s relationship with the media and its ability to intimidate journalists to maintain silence about government wrongdoing.
The federal government should be held accountable for its actions, and that includes the IRS. Jordan’s letter calls for answers from IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about this incident. Taibbi isn’t worried about the visit, but he’s not commenting until he hears back from Jordan’s letter. The government must stop its tactics of intimidation and recognize the importance of a free and open press.
