Story perspectives

Trump Restructures IRS to Target Progressive Groups, Critics Warn

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump is reportedly restructuring the Internal Revenue Service to target left-leaning groups and Democratic donors.
The effort is led by Gary Shapley and aims to install Trump loyalists in the IRS's criminal-investigation division.
Critics, including Senate Democrats, say the move weaponizes government agencies and echoes tactics from the Nixon era.
The plan would compile financial records of progressive organizations, sparking concerns about abuses of power and political interference.

History

Historical Context

The Watergate scandal began on June 17, 1972, when five men associated with President Nixon's re-election campaign were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Nixon's attempts to cover up the incident led to his resignation on August 9, 1974, making him the first U.S. president to do so. This historical event raises concerns about the politicization of government institutions, echoing current debates surrounding the IRS under President Trump.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump is reportedly restructuring the Internal Revenue Service to target left-leaning groups and Democratic donors.
The effort is led by Gary Shapley and aims to install Trump loyalists in the IRS's criminal-investigation division.
Critics, including Senate Democrats, say the move weaponizes government agencies and echoes tactics from the Nixon era.
The plan would compile financial records of progressive organizations, sparking concerns about abuses of power and political interference.

1 / 2