IRS Commissioner Resigns Over Immigration Data Sharing Dispute
Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause is stepping down after objecting to a new agreement allowing the IRS to share tax data with federal immigration authorities. The decision makes her the third IRS leader to leave this year. Treasury officials reportedly sidelined Krause as they finalized the controversial data-sharing deal with the Department of Homeland Security.
Privacy Concerns and Legal Pushback
Despite warnings from IRS attorneys that the agreement might violate federal privacy laws, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem moved forward. Krause’s resignation follows her predecessor Doug O’Donnell, who also refused to support a similar proposal. She will enter a deferred resignation program.
Federal Workforce Overhaul Underway
The IRS has also begun major workforce cuts, eliminating up to 25% of its staff and dismantling its civil rights office. These actions are part of a broader restructuring led by Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under President Trump’s direction.
Musk Highlights Financial Irregularities
Musk recently revealed on Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast that DOGE identified 14 untracked “magic money computers” across federal agencies, which allegedly move large sums without oversight. He warned these systems could distort reported spending by as much as 5%, possibly hiding trillions in improper payments from lawmakers.