In a news conference declaration reminiscent of Captain Renault’s memorable words in “Casablanca” — “I am shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!” — President Obama expressed dismay at the IRS’ targeting of conservative Tea Party groups. The chief executive described himself as “offended” by such practices, vowed not to “tolerate” them, and said those responsible must be held accountable because “the IRS as an independent agency requires absolute integrity and people have to have confidence that they apply laws in a nonpartisan way.”

Keeping the IRS as far away from partisan politics is indeed the crucial consideration, but there are multiple grounds for thinking this president has already thrown away his credibility on the importance of preserving the integrity of the agency. First, this targeting was not merely a misguided effort by low-level bureaucrats in an isolated federal facility. The tax agency’s Cincinnati office handles tax-exemption applications from educational nonprofit groups across the country.