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Independent journalist Michael Shellenberger examines the relationship between Twitter and the alleged politicization of the F.B.I. on ‘The Evening Edit.’
The same day journalist Matt Taibbi was voluntarily testifying before Congress in Washington, D.C., an IRS agent showed up unannounced at his New Jersey home, he said.
Taibbi has been personally involved with revealing the "Twitter Files," or installments of behind-the-scenes documents new Twitter CEO Elon Musk provided to show how the social media platform previously censored content and users, among other things.
Taibbi testified before the newly Republican-created Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government about what he learned about Twitter on March 9, the same day an IRS agent made an unusual visit to his home.
"What an amazing coincidence," tweeted Michael Shellenberger, who was also involved with Musk and Twitter and also testified that same day.
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Matt Taibbi, a journalist, testifies during the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing titled The Twitter Files, in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)
"That’s very odd," Musk said in a tweet Monday evening. Several other users highlighted the actions were suspect and far from a coincidence.
Members of Congress chimed in, too.
"This absolutely stinks to high heaven. The IRS has a troubling history of targeting the political enemies of Democrats," responded Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
He added: "The IRS should NEVER be in the business of harassing the American people."
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The chair of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, also the House Judiciary Chairman, sent a pair of letters Monday to try and get answers.
The letters went to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and said the committee wishes to see documents or communications relating to the authorized visit to Taibbi’s home.
View of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2023. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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According to the Wall Street Journal, the IRS agent ultimately left a note instructing Taibbi to call the IRS. Taibbi did and was told both his 2018 and 2021 tax returns had been rejected, but the IRS did not explain why they visited the home in-person rather than an electronic notice.
"The bigger question is when did the IRS start to dispatch agents for surprise house calls? Typically, when the IRS challenges some part of a tax return, it sends a dunning letter. Or it might seek more information from the taxpayer or tax preparer. If the IRS wants to audit a return, it schedules a meeting at the agent’s office. It doesn’t drop by unannounced," the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board wrote.
Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, conducts the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing titled The Twitter Files, in Rayburn Building on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Journalist Matt Taibbi testifies before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government on March 9, 2023. (House Judiciary Committee)
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The subcommittee meeting was held at 10 a.m. on March 9, inside the Rayburn House Office Building.