There is an amazing amount of material coming from the New York Times story on the Trump tax returns. As I read this material with great interest, one thing (of many) that stands out is how amazing it was that it took 5 years for this moment to occur. Why has it been so hard to get the Trump tax returns? For example, it has surprised me that someone at the IRS had not leaked the returns, willing to lose their job and face some fines or jail time in order to get the returns out. Here is one reason this lack of IRS leakage surprise me: IRS employees are overwhelmingly democrats.
Government employees in general are overwhelmingly left-leaning, and this is especially the case at the IRS. For example, as of this writing, the most recent 100 donations listed by individuals on FEC.gov by IRS employees, 4 are to right-leaning groups, and, 96 are left-leaning organizations. It may be a huge leap, but, given these political preferences by those at our tax authority, I would imagine that there were many at the IRS who were pleased to see Donald Trump’s tax returns finally revealed. To me it is a testament to the professionalism and integrity that this leak did not come from someone at the IRS.
What evidence do we have it did not came from the IRS? What we have is the note from the New York Times that “the First Amendment allows the press to publish newsworthy information that was legally obtained by reporters even when those in power fight to keep it hidden. That powerful principle of the First Amendment applies here.” Obtaining these returns from the IRS would be utterly illegal, and any IRS employee possessing the return that was not solely using them for “IRS business purpose” would also be violating the law. So, if we take the New York Times at their word, the returns did not come from an IRS source.
The IRS takes data security incredibly seriously. In my experience as a one-time unpaid IRS employee, I experienced this first hand—my supervisors were extremely careful of privileged tax data, and that sensitivity seemed to run deep in the veins of those at The Service. IRS employee signs an agreement certifying that:
As an IRS employee/contractor, I have been informed that, 1. Under law, I may only access or inspect tax returns and return information for an IRS business purpose, and that 2. The willful unauthorized access or inspection of tax returns and return information can result in severe penalties, including: • Imprisonment of up to one year, • A fine of up to $1,000, • Dismissal from employment/removal from the contract and • The costs of prosecution.
I have no idea how many people at the IRS have direct access to Trump tax data, but, however many it is, it is extremely heartening that none betrayed their duty, and their oath, and leaked the return data. Good work, IRS. Well done.
