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IRS Counsel Fired After Refusing White House Audit Interference

7/17/2026

46 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ken Kies, IRS counsel, was removed after refusing White House requests to intervene in audits.
He warned the request broke a law barring officials from directing IRS investigations.
Two officials cited his temperament, work ethic and computer literacy as reasons for dismissal.
A tax lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump, he recused himself from the president’s tax matters.
His team drafted guidance to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime wages.

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Story summary

Ken Kies, IRS counsel, was removed after refusing White House requests to intervene in audits.
He warned the request broke a law barring officials from directing IRS investigations.
Two officials cited his temperament, work ethic and computer literacy as reasons for dismissal.
A tax lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump, he recused himself from the president’s tax matters.
His team drafted guidance to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime wages.