IRS launches safety review in US after threats to workers

Agency has become target of Republican attacks after President Joe Biden's signing law

A major union representing IRS employees has asked for the agency to increase measures to protect workers, particularly those who work in public-facing roles. Reuters

The Internal Revenue Service is reviewing security for its employees and offices after a wave of political attacks from Republican politicians lawmakers and right-wing groups.

The IRS, which has about 600 buildings nationwide, has become a target of Republican politicians and extremists in recent weeks, after President Joe Biden signed a new spending law that includes $80 billion for the agency to enhance tax enforcement and upgrade its computer systems.

Threats against the agency have increased after Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senator Chuck Grassley, have falsely claimed that the additional funding would lead to a massive increase in the number of armed IRS agents and that enhanced enforcement would be aimed at middle-income taxpayers.

“We are conducting a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a memo to employees on Tuesday.

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  Supporters of former US president Donald Trump gather outside his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, after he said FBI agents raided it. Reuters

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  A supporter of Mr Trump holds a flag and an old newspaper outside the former president's Mar-a-Lago home. Reuters

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  The FBI searched the estate as part of an investigation into whether the former US leader took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence. The Palm Beach Post / AP

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  Despite the January 6 hearings and an FBI raid, some still believe that Mr Trump won the 2020 election. AFP

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  Supporters gathered outside Mar-a-Lago in Florida as it was was being searched by FBI agents in what Mr Trump called an act of 'prosecutorial misconduct'. AFP

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  Trump supporters in Palm Beach, Florida outside Mar-a-Lago on Monday night. Reuters

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  It is claimed that the former US president took documents from the White House and disposed of them at Mar-a-Lago. AFP

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  Mr Trump was in New York when the search took place. Reuters

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  Mr Trump alleges that no other president has been subjected to such treatment. AFP

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  A member of the far-right Proud Boys group outside Mar-a-Lago. Reuters

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  Mr Trump compared the FBI raid to Watergate. AFP

“This includes conducting risk assessments based on data-driven decisions given the current environment and monitoring perimeter security, designations of restricted areas, exterior lighting, security around entrances to our facilities and other various protections.”

The IRS is also monitoring threat intelligence and has increased engagement with the Department of Homeland Security, local law enforcement agencies and the inspector general that oversees the agency, said Mr Rettig, who was appointed by former president Donald Trump as the top IRS official in 2018. The plan was reported earlier by the Washington Post.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that the additional funding for audits will be used to increase tax enforcement of households making at least $400,000 a year and large corporations. Money will also be spent on technology upgrades and improving customer service.

“IRS public servants work professionally and diligently every day on behalf of the American people. We take threats seriously and their safety is a top priority,” Ms Yellen said on Twitter.

The announcement of the security review comes after a major union representing IRS employees asked for the agency to increase measures to protect workers, particularly those who work in public-facing roles.