IRS agents who investigated Hunter Biden given promotions at the Treasury Department

Yahoo! News - Mar 18th, 2025
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Two IRS whistleblowers, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who testified about the Hunter Biden tax investigations, have been promoted to senior adviser roles within the Treasury Department. They alleged retaliation after claiming that the Justice Department and former Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss delayed actions against Hunter Biden. Their promotions come as part of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's initiative to investigate potential wrongdoing at the IRS and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The investigation into Hunter Biden concluded with a presidential pardon, sparing him from potential prison time for federal felonies related to tax and gun convictions.

The promotions of Shapley and Ziegler have been celebrated by Republican lawmakers as a victory for whistleblower rights, marking a shift towards increased transparency and accountability. This development highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Biden family and the use of presidential powers. Secretary Bessent has tasked the whistleblowers with a year-long investigation into IRS practices, aiming to uncover systemic issues and ensure fairness across political lines. The case has underscored the significance of whistleblower protections and the challenges faced by those who expose governmental misconduct.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a largely accurate and timely account of the promotions of IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, their allegations of retaliation, and the political reactions to their case. It effectively engages with topics of public interest, such as government accountability and whistleblower protections, and has the potential to influence public opinion and provoke meaningful discussion.

While the article is clear and well-structured, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, including responses from the Biden administration or other involved parties. Additionally, providing more diverse sources and deeper analysis would enhance the story's depth and credibility.

Overall, the article succeeds in presenting a relevant and engaging narrative, though it could be improved by addressing potential biases and providing additional context to fully explore the implications of the events described.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims regarding the promotion of IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, their allegations of retaliation, and the outcomes of the Hunter Biden investigation. The claim that Shapley and Ziegler have been promoted to senior roles at the Treasury Department is supported by multiple sources, as is their assertion of being removed from the Hunter Biden case. However, the story's accuracy could be improved by providing more detailed evidence or documentation of the alleged retaliation and the specific roles and responsibilities of their new positions.

The story mentions that the investigation into Hunter Biden concluded with a pardon from President Joe Biden, which is a significant claim requiring verification. While the narrative aligns with known public events, such as Hunter Biden's legal troubles and plea deal, the article could benefit from more precise details about the legal process and the pardon itself. Additionally, the story references statements from political figures like Sen. Chuck Grassley, which are accurately represented but could be further contextualized.

Overall, while the story is largely accurate in its factual claims, it would benefit from additional verification of some of the more contentious points, such as the specifics of the alleged retaliation and the full scope of the pardon's implications.

6
Balance

The article attempts to present multiple perspectives by including statements from both the whistleblowers and political figures like Sen. Chuck Grassley. However, the balance could be improved by incorporating responses or comments from the Biden administration or other involved parties to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

The story leans slightly towards the whistleblowers' perspective, highlighting their claims of retaliation and their subsequent promotions as a form of redemption. While it does mention the Biden administration's actions, it lacks direct input from them, which could help balance the narrative.

By focusing primarily on the whistleblowers' viewpoint and the reactions from Republican lawmakers, the article may inadvertently present a biased view that could be perceived as favoring one side of the political spectrum.

8
Clarity

The article is written in a clear and straightforward manner, making it easy for readers to follow the main points and understand the key issues at play. The structure is logical, with a clear progression from the whistleblowers' promotions to the broader context of the Hunter Biden investigation.

The language used is neutral and professional, avoiding overly complex jargon or technical terms that might confuse readers. The tone is appropriate for a news article, maintaining a focus on factual reporting rather than editorializing.

Overall, the article succeeds in presenting the information in a clear and accessible way, though it could benefit from additional context to help readers fully grasp the implications of the events described.

7
Source quality

The article cites credible sources, such as the Associated Press (AP), which is known for its reliable reporting. However, it doesn't provide a diverse range of sources, primarily relying on statements from the whistleblowers and political figures like Sen. Chuck Grassley.

To enhance source quality, the article could include more voices from independent experts or legal analysts who can provide additional context and analysis of the situation. This would help readers understand the broader implications of the whistleblowers' claims and the political reactions.

While the sources used are reputable, the lack of variety limits the depth of the article, as it doesn't fully explore the different facets of the story or potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides a basic level of transparency by clearly stating the roles and claims of the whistleblowers. However, it lacks detailed context about the methodology used to verify the claims or any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the narrative.

The story could be more transparent by explaining how the information was obtained and whether any additional steps were taken to verify the claims beyond citing the whistleblowers' statements. This would help readers assess the reliability of the information presented.

By not addressing potential biases or conflicts of interest, the article leaves readers without a clear understanding of the factors that might influence the reporting, which could impact the perceived impartiality of the story.

Sources

  1. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/3350927/irs-whistleblowers-hunter-biden-promotion-treasury-department/
  2. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/hunter-biden-sues-irs-says-agents-shared-his-personal-tax-information
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/US/hunter-biden-whistleblowers-promoted-irs/story?id=119912378
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gL9AwwR3Ug
  5. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/irs-whistleblowers-who-investigated-hunter-biden-promoted-treasury-department