In an attempt to stem the continuing growth of the IRS scandal, where reports showed they agency was targeting conservatives, including but not limited to, groups connected with "Tea Party, Patriots and 9/12," as well as "political action type organizations involved in limiting/expanding Government, educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, social economic reform movement," Barack Obama "angrily" announced that steps were being taken and heads were rolling.
Obama said the "responsible parties" will be held accountable. Lew "took the first step by requesting—and accepting—the resignation of the acting commissioner of the IRS because given the controversy surrounding this audit, it's important to institute new leadership that can help restore confidence going forward," Obama added.
Political theater, ACT 1
The acting IRS commissioner was Steve Miller and he did offer his resignation, wrote a nice letter, shown here, but what Obama did not mention in his splashy announcement from the White House, is that Mr. Miller's last day was already set for June 8, 2013, by statute.
ABC News:
Miller, a 25-year career IRS employee, was appointed acting commissioner on November 9, 2012. According to the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, his 210-day term would have set his last day in that post as June 8.
Political theater, ACT 2
Next blaring headline "2nd IRS official to leave amid tea party scandal."
An internal IRS memo says Joseph Grant, commissioner of the agency's tax exempt and government entities division, will retire June 3. Grant joins Steven Miller, who was forced to resign as acting IRS commissioner on Wednesday.
That is more like it, right? I mean Grant was commissioner of the agency's tax exempt and government entities division, the exact agency that targeted conservatives.
Wrong.
Seem Grant was only "appointed as commissioner of the tax-exempt office May 8," just nine days ago.
He was promoted to the position after the investigation by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration report which confirmed inappropriate targeting of conservatives and blaming "ineffective management" for the targeting of Tea Party groups and other conservatives.
So, who was the commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations between 2009 and 2012?
Sarah Hall Ingram.
As was reported on Thursday, Sarah Hall Ingram is no longer with the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations, but is now the director of the IRS’ Affordable Care Act office.
What was her punishment for abusing the power of the IRS office to target Obama's political enemies?
$103,390 in bonuses from 2009-2012 and a cozy new position that puts her in charge of the vast expansion of the IRS' regulatory power and staffing in connection with federal health care.
The misconduct that it uncovered is inexcusable. It's inexcusable, and Americans are right to be angry about it and I am angry about it," the president said in a brief prepared statement. "I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in any agency—but especially in the IRS, given the power that it has and the reach that it has into all of our lives."
Obama's outrage, his "anger" his decisive actions..... all one big farce.
Related
Full Wake up America coverage on the IRS scandal can be found here.