Republicans are criticizing ex-IRS official Lois Lerner for defending herself in a media interview while refusing to testify before Congress, but Democrats have been largely silent.
Lerner told Politico on Monday she “did nothing wrong” in the years she headed the tax-exempt division of the agency, which has been accused of targeting conservative groups seeking tax exempt status.
Republicans led the charge to hold Lerner in contempt of Congress earlier this year.
“Lois Lerner’s interview is a poke in the eye to the American citizens who were targeted by the IRS for exercising their most fundamental right to speak out against their government,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who heads a House Government Oversight and Reform subcommittee. “Ms. Lerner’s desire to play the victim to the press while refusing to answer questions about her conduct from Congress underscores why the House of Representatives held her in contempt.”
Earlier Monday, House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said if Lerner is blameless, “she would have chosen to answer basic questions about her conduct instead of obstructing Congress’ investigation.”
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, did not make an official statement but his communications team released an email mocking her non-apology and listing news articles that document her criticism of the GOP and that suggest she avoided scrutiny of liberal groups seeking tax-exempt status.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., who is the top Democrat on House Oversight, was not planning to comment on the Lerner interview, his spokeswoman told the Examiner.
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also has refrained from commenting.
