DOGE deputy, Treasury Secretary dish on crusade to pull the IRS out of its 'really big hole'

Fox News - Mar 21st, 2025
Open on Fox News

DOGE representative Sam Corcos and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on 'The Ingraham Angle' to discuss efforts to streamline IRS operations and cut wasteful spending. Corcos emphasized the urgent need to modernize the IRS's outdated infrastructure, which is decades behind schedule and billions over budget. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration to dismantle bureaucracy and improve government efficiency. Corcos highlighted that a significant portion of the IRS budget is consumed by contractors, complicating efforts to reform the tax collection system.

The initiative has faced criticism from Democrats and entrenched interests, which Bessent claims are resistant to change. Despite these challenges, the administration is focused on improving collections, privacy, and customer service at the IRS. This effort reflects a broader agenda to streamline government operations, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery to American taxpayers. The move is part of President Trump's ongoing strategy to cut regulations and restructure federal agencies, though it has sparked debate over potential impacts on public services.

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RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a timely and relevant discussion on government efficiency and IRS reforms, which are topics of significant public interest. However, the story's quality is limited by its reliance on a narrow range of sources and perspectives, as well as a lack of independent verification of key claims. While the article effectively conveys the viewpoints of Sam Corcos and Scott Bessent, it would benefit from a more balanced presentation that includes counterarguments and insights from a broader range of stakeholders.

The article's readability and clarity are strengths, with a straightforward structure and clear language. However, the informal tone and lack of context in certain areas detract from the overall seriousness of the topic. To maximize its impact and engagement potential, the article should incorporate more diverse perspectives and provide additional context and verification for its claims.

Overall, the article raises important issues related to government efficiency and IRS modernization, but requires a more comprehensive and balanced approach to fully inform and engage readers.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that require verification, particularly the statements about the IRS's modernization program being '30 years behind schedule' and '$15 billion over budget.' These figures need to be corroborated with official IRS reports or audits. Similarly, the claim that '80% of the $3.5 billion IRS operations and maintenance budget goes to contractors and licenses' should be verified with budgetary documents or statements from the IRS.

Additionally, the story references actions and priorities of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administration, which are not standard governmental departments or initiatives. This raises questions about the factual basis of the claims and whether they are metaphorical or literal.

The quotes from Sam Corcos and Scott Bessent provide specific figures and assertions, such as the IRS's legacy infrastructure and modernization challenges, which should be cross-checked with credible sources. The story lacks citations or references to official documents or third-party verification, which impacts its factual reliability.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspectives of Sam Corcos and Scott Bessent, both of whom are associated with the Trump administration's efforts to reform governmental efficiency. There is a notable absence of counterarguments or perspectives from the IRS, Democrats, or other stakeholders who might have differing views on the proposed reforms.

The presentation of the story leans towards supporting the Trump administration's efforts, as evidenced by the language used ('streamlining shake-up,' 'making it more efficient') and the lack of critical scrutiny of the claims made by Corcos and Bessent. This creates an imbalance in viewpoint representation.

To achieve a more balanced narrative, the article could have included insights from IRS officials, independent experts on government efficiency, or representatives from the Democratic party who are mentioned as critics of the reforms. This would provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy for readers to follow the main points being discussed. The use of direct quotes from Sam Corcos and Scott Bessent helps to convey their perspectives effectively.

However, the article could benefit from clearer explanations of certain terms and concepts, such as the 'IRS modernization program' and the role of 'consultant groups' within the IRS. Providing more detailed descriptions or definitions would aid reader comprehension.

The article's tone is somewhat informal, as seen in the use of phrases like 'DOGE bro,' which may detract from the seriousness of the topic. A more formal tone would better suit the discussion of government efficiency and budgetary issues.

3
Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from two primary sources: Sam Corcos and Scott Bessent. Both individuals are directly involved in the initiatives being discussed, which may introduce bias into their statements. The lack of additional sources or independent verification diminishes the article's credibility.

There is no indication that the article sought input from other stakeholders or experts who might provide a more nuanced view of the IRS's challenges or the feasibility of the proposed reforms. The absence of third-party sources or data points that could corroborate or challenge the claims made by Corcos and Bessent is a significant limitation.

For improved source quality, the article should have included insights from IRS officials, independent auditors, or policy analysts who could offer a broader perspective on the issue. The reliance on a single news outlet, Fox News, also suggests a potential lack of diversity in sourcing.

4
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient context or background information about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) or its authority to implement changes within the IRS. This lack of transparency raises questions about the legitimacy and scope of the initiatives being discussed.

Furthermore, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the impartiality of the sources. For example, the motivations behind the proposed reforms or any political affiliations of the individuals involved are not explored.

To enhance transparency, the article should have provided more context about the origins and objectives of DOGE, as well as any relevant background on the individuals quoted. This would help readers understand the basis for the claims and the potential implications of the proposed reforms.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-doge-trump-irs-taxpayer-data-idrs-wyden-warren-letter/
  3. https://www.propublica.org/article/doge-trump-musk-funding-foia-congress-transparency
  4. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doges-access-critical-irs-system-containing-taxpayer-information-imminent
  5. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/establishing-and-implementing-the-presidents-department-of-government-efficiency/