IRS agents who blew the whistle on political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax case have received a stunning reward for their bravery. After being ostracized and sidelined during the Biden administration, these heroes are now being elevated to key leadership roles in the Trump administration’s effort to drain the swamp at the Treasury Department.
At a glance:
• IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler have been promoted to senior adviser positions at the Treasury Department after exposing political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation.
• They faced significant retaliation after reporting obstruction by the DOJ and Delaware US Attorney’s office in the Hunter Biden case.
• The Office of Special Counsel confirmed that the IRS illegally retaliated against both whistleblowers.
• They will work with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on IRS reform before taking senior leadership roles within the agency.
• Senator Chuck Grassley praised the promotions, calling them the “first of many redemption stories for whistleblowers who’ve been mistreated.”
Trump Administration Rewards Whistleblowers Who Exposed Biden Family Corruption
IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler, who exposed political interference in Hunter Biden’s tax investigation and subsequently faced retaliation under the Biden administration, have been promoted to leadership positions at the Treasury Department. The two agents will serve as Senior Advisers to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with a focus on reforming the tax agency before moving into senior leadership roles at the IRS.
Shapley and Ziegler came forward with evidence that the Hunter Biden investigation was being mishandled, revealing that the president’s son received preferential treatment. Their testimony helped collapse Hunter Biden’s sweetheart plea deal on tax fraud and gun felonies, which ultimately led to criminal charges before his father issued a controversial pardon in December 2024.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the whistleblowers’ expertise and integrity, saying their firsthand knowledge would be invaluable in reforming the IRS. Their promotion comes after the U.S. Office of Special Counsel confirmed that the IRS had issued illegal gag orders and improperly removed the agents from the Hunter Biden investigation in May 2023.
Whistleblowers Faced Severe Retaliation Under Biden Administration
After reporting obstruction by the Department of Justice and the Delaware U.S. Attorney’s office, Shapley and Ziegler were removed from the Hunter Biden case in December 2022. The agents have filed a complaint against six IRS executives for retaliation, which remains pending, and have also filed a defamation lawsuit against Hunter Biden’s lawyer.
Senator Chuck Grassley, a longtime champion of whistleblower protections, applauded the promotions. “Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler put their entire careers on the line to stand up for the truth, and instead of being thanked, the Biden administration treated them like skunks at a picnic,” Grassley stated.
The non-profit Empower Oversight, which represents the whistleblowers, praised the Trump administration’s decision to reward integrity rather than punish it. Jason Foster, the organization’s Founder, called the promotions well-earned through “integrity and hard work for the American people.”
Hunter Biden Case Exposed Political Interference at DOJ
The whistleblowers’ revelations led to the collapse of Hunter Biden’s plea deal on tax and gun charges, revealing how politics had tainted the investigation. Hunter Biden was later convicted on gun charges before receiving a pardon from his father that covered all federal offenses committed since January 1, 2014, a move widely criticized as an abuse of presidential power.
Despite their vindication, both whistleblowers continue to face legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by Hunter Biden’s legal team claiming unlawful disclosure of his tax returns.
