IRS official fired after LinkedIn criticism of Trump

Niki Wilkinson, a senior officer at the Internal Revenue Service, was dismissed after her LinkedIn remarks criticizing President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers drew public scrutiny.

According to The Daily Caller, her removal came shortly after the Daily Caller highlighted her social media posts defending a former IRS colleague and accusing Trump of corruption, sparking controversy within the agency.

Wilkinson, who held a high-ranking role at the IRS, used her professional networking account to challenge Republican criticism of Holly Paz, a former IRS official linked to the Obama-era Tea Party targeting scandal.

Public Comments Draw Swift Attention

Paz was placed on leave by the Trump administration after allegations that she oversaw audits targeting conservative business owners. Members of Congress accused her of political bias in the auditing process.

In response, Wilkinson accused Trump and Republican lawmakers of mischaracterizing Paz’s work. She argued that their claims amounted to fear tactics designed to discredit IRS officials.

“Such a farce! Interesting how Senators outside the IRS are fear mongering and falsely describing the work,” Wilkinson wrote in a LinkedIn comment. She added that lawmakers had “no idea what Examiners found in those audits.”

Defense of Former IRS Colleague

Wilkinson emphasized that IRS auditors, not Paz herself, identified instances of fraud and noncompliance in pass-through entities. She asserted that the agency had not been conducting these audits effectively for years until that period.

She further insisted that the pass-through unit audits included both Democratic and Republican taxpayers, pushing back against claims of partisan targeting.

To support her point, Wilkinson posted an organizational chart showing the reporting structure under Paz, aiming to demonstrate that Paz did not personally supervise audits.

Accusations of Corruption Against Trump

Beyond defending Paz, Wilkinson leveled harsh criticism against Trump directly. She claimed that his conduct, including controversial pardons and efforts to influence gerrymandering, could be viewed as corrupt practices.

Her remarks amplified her criticism of the administration, alleging that Trump fostered an atmosphere of hostility toward IRS employees who had previously served under the Obama administration.

The comments, however, quickly became the focus of political backlash once publicized, ultimately leading to Wilkinson’s dismissal from the IRS.

Termination After Media Report

The Daily Caller report spotlighted Wilkinson’s online activity, which included multiple posts criticizing the president and defending Paz. The coverage reportedly prompted swift action within the IRS.

Following the publication, Wilkinson was informed of her termination. Her departure underscored how quickly online remarks can trigger consequences for federal employees.

Despite multiple inquiries, Wilkinson did not provide a response regarding her employment status or the circumstances surrounding her removal.

Ongoing Debate Over IRS Oversight

The incident highlights broader tensions over the role of the IRS in political controversies, particularly those dating back to the Tea Party scandal. Paz, once at the center of Republican scrutiny, continues to be a focal point of partisan debate.

For Wilkinson, her defense of Paz and outspoken criticism of Trump illustrate the fine line IRS employees face when engaging in public discourse while working in politically sensitive positions.

Her firing adds to the ongoing debate over accountability, free expression, and the limits of criticism by federal officials in the current political climate.