IRS whistleblowers vindicated, fight crime to fight gangs and other commentary

New York Post - Mar 23rd, 2025
Open on New York Post

The recent promotion of IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler marks a significant vindication in their ongoing saga against alleged political interference within the IRS concerning the Hunter Biden investigation. For years, both encountered numerous challenges, including being 'exiled' from the investigation and facing restrictions on probing connections related to Joe Biden. Their elevation to senior advisory roles to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscores a pivotal moment in IRS reform and recognition of their efforts despite the political hurdles they faced.

This development highlights broader implications for the federal bureaucracy and the handling of politically sensitive investigations. It raises questions about the integrity and impartiality of federal agencies, especially in high-profile cases involving political figures. The story of Shapley and Ziegler serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by whistleblowers and the potential for reform within the IRS, potentially setting a precedent for future cases and reflecting broader tensions in the intersection of politics and federal governance.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a mix of timely and potentially impactful topics, such as IRS whistleblower allegations and critiques of the World Happiness Report, which are relevant to ongoing public debates. However, the article's overall quality is undermined by a lack of balance, transparency, and source quality. The absence of clear evidence and attribution for the claims made diminishes its accuracy and reliability. While the language is clear and the topics are engaging, the fragmented structure and lack of depth in analysis limit the article's potential impact and engagement. The article could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives and a stronger foundation of evidence to support its claims.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story contains several claims that require verification for accuracy. For instance, the article mentions that IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler faced retaliation and political interference, which are serious allegations needing evidence. The claim that they were thwarted in searching Joe Biden's guest house and instructed not to pursue certain leads also requires corroboration. Additionally, the assertion that their promotion to senior jobs is a form of vindication needs factual support. The article's accuracy is compromised by the lack of direct evidence provided for these claims, and without external verification, the truthfulness and precision of these statements remain questionable.

4
Balance

The article primarily presents viewpoints from specific ideological perspectives, such as the right-leaning narrative on IRS whistleblowers and the critique of the World Happiness Report. It lacks a balanced representation of opposing views or counterarguments, particularly in the discussions about the IRS whistleblowers and the World Happiness Report. There is a noticeable absence of perspectives from those who might defend the actions of the IRS or the methodology of the World Happiness Report. This imbalance suggests a potential bias in the article's presentation, favoring certain narratives over a more comprehensive exploration of the issues.

6
Clarity

The language and structure of the article are relatively clear, with distinct sections addressing different topics. However, the logical flow is somewhat disrupted by the rapid shift between unrelated topics, such as IRS whistleblowers, gang prevention, and the World Happiness Report. While each section is understandable on its own, the overall narrative lacks cohesion, which may affect the reader's comprehension. The tone remains neutral, but the fragmented presentation could confuse readers about the article's main focus.

3
Source quality

The article does not provide clear attribution to credible sources for its claims. It references opinions from various commentators, such as Kimberley A. Strassel and Yascha Mounk, but does not substantiate these opinions with primary sources or data. The reliance on editorial opinions without supporting evidence from authoritative sources undermines the reliability of the information presented. The lack of direct quotes or references to official documents or statements also detracts from the credibility of the article.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for its claims and the methodology behind its assertions. There is no explanation of how the information was gathered or what evidence supports the claims about IRS whistleblowers or the World Happiness Report. The absence of context or disclosure of potential conflicts of interest further obscures the impartiality of the reporting. Readers are left without a clear understanding of the foundation for the article's statements.

Sources

  1. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2023/12/13/chairman-smith-the-whistleblowers-were-right-all-along-congress-must-follow-their-leads-to-joe-biden/
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/irs-whistleblowers-hunter-biden-indictment-complete-vindication-investigation-allegations
  3. https://www.congress.gov/event/118th-congress/house-event/116254/text
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4pIYS-evBY
  5. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0052