The Internal Revenue Service wields one of the most intimidating powers the federal government possesses: the ability to audit any American at any time. This is a power that can upend lives, cripple businesses, and tarnish reputations, not through conviction in a courtroom but through the mere process of scrutiny. Such immense authority demands impartiality and restraint.
Yet, too often, that power has been twisted into a political weapon. Conservative groups have historically borne the brunt of these attacks, but the danger is far bigger than partisan politics. Instead of serving taxpayers with fairness, a small but entrenched group of political actors within the IRS has used its position to target individuals and organizations based on ideology.
