IRS Whistleblowers Take on New Leadership Roles in Treasury Department

IRS whistleblowers who exposed political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation have been promoted to Treasury leadership roles after facing retaliation under the previous administration.

Quick Takes

Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler, who were removed from the Hunter Biden investigation after reporting DOJ obstruction, have been appointed as senior advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Their appointments come after the Office of Special Counsel confirmed the IRS had illegally retaliated against them for their whistleblowing activities.
The whistleblowers will focus on reforming the IRS before transitioning to senior IRS leadership positions.
Their revelations contributed to the collapse of Hunter Biden’s plea deal on tax and gun charges.
Senator Chuck Grassley praised the appointments as a victory for government transparency and whistleblower protections.

From Retaliation to Recognition

Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler, the IRS investigators who courageously exposed alleged political meddling in Hunter Biden’s tax probe, have received significant promotions within the Treasury Department. The two whistleblowers, who faced removal from the Hunter Biden case in December 2022 after reporting obstruction by the Department of Justice and the Delaware US Attorney’s office, will now serve as senior advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This remarkable turnaround comes after both men endured what the Office of Special Counsel later confirmed was illegal retaliation for their whistleblowing activities.

The promotions represent a dramatic shift in fortune for the two career tax investigators. After being sidelined during the previous administration, Shapley and Ziegler will now spearhead efforts to reform the Internal Revenue Service with a focus on eliminating waste and increasing transparency. Treasury Secretary Bessent specifically cited their expertise and firsthand knowledge as invaluable assets in driving cultural reform within the tax agency, with plans to later transition them to senior leadership positions within the IRS itself.

🚨 JUST IN: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has promoted the Hunter Biden IRS whistleblowers to leadership roles at the Treasury Department.

They will be investigating IRS wrongdoing now. AMAZING decision.

"The the culture of being able to come forward when you see wrongdoing… pic.twitter.com/te2IlzgzUt

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 18, 2025

Standing for Truth Amid Controversy

The whistleblowers’ journey began when they reported what they believed was preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden tax investigation. Their testimony to Congress alleged that officials at the Department of Justice erected “roadblocks” to prevent a thorough investigation into President Biden’s son. Following their disclosures, they were removed from the case and reportedly faced workplace ostracism. Their revelations ultimately contributed to the collapse of Hunter Biden’s plea deal on tax fraud and gun felony charges.

Despite their new appointments, Shapley and Ziegler continue to face legal challenges. They have filed a complaint against six IRS executives for retaliation, which remains pending. Additionally, Hunter Biden’s legal team has filed a lawsuit against the IRS, claiming unlawful disclosure of tax returns. In response, the whistleblowers have filed their own defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s lawyer, maintaining they followed all proper procedures in their disclosures about the handling of the case.

A Victory for Whistleblower Protections

The promotions have drawn praise from Senator Chuck Grassley and whistleblower advocacy groups, who view the appointments as a vindication for those who risk their careers to expose wrongdoing within government. Empower Oversight, the organization representing Shapley and Ziegler, characterized the promotions as a recognition of integrity and hard work for the American people.

The US Office of Special Counsel’s finding that the IRS issued illegal gag orders and improperly removed the whistleblowers from the Hunter Biden investigation lends credibility to Shapley and Ziegler’s claims. Their new roles signal a shift in how whistleblowing is viewed within the Treasury Department, potentially encouraging others to come forward when they witness wrongdoing. The case highlights the critical importance of robust whistleblower protections in maintaining government accountability, regardless of which political party controls the administration.