Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith is pushing for a comprehensive restructuring of the Internal Revenue Service. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the Missouri Republican declared that the status quo at the IRS is "unacceptable" and called for the agency to be "de-weaponized."

Smith's demands follow a letter he sent to IRS Acting Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell, urging continuous oversight to restore public trust following what he terms "lawless and politically motivated behavior." He criticized the agency's focus on hiring 87,000 new agents for auditing instead of prioritizing customer service, citing this as evidence of the Democrats' misplaced priorities.

The congressman's letter details several concerns, including alleged retaliation against IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, who exposed alleged corruption and preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden investigation. Smith also criticized the IRS's allocation of $80 billion in mandatory funding towards "aggressive audits" over customer service, and its perceived inaction against tax-exempt organizations allegedly promoting antisemitism and potentially supporting terrorism.

Smith emphasized the public's demand for accountability, referencing the recent election results and President Trump's commitment to change. He pledged close monitoring of the IRS to ensure compliance with laws, executive orders, and requests from Congressional committees. The representative further accused the IRS of exceeding its authority by selectively applying laws, citing the delayed implementation of the $600 Venmo reporting law as an example. He also criticized the agency's expansion of a small feasibility study into a costly Direct File program.

Smith reiterated the need for swift action from the acting commissioner to address these issues and meet the expectations of both Congress and the American public.