House Republicans are beginning hearings to impeach IRS chief John Koskinen
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold the first of two scheduled hearings on a motion to impeach Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen, but Koskinen said Monday he won't be there, citing the late invitation and other commitments that have left him no time to prepare "for what could be a wide-ranging and complex discussion regarding claims that may only become clear after the hearing's first panel." Instead, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the House Oversight Committee chairman who filed the impeachment motion, will testify under oath, along with Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.).
Chaffetz accuses Koskinen of lying under oath and defying a House subpoena to turn over emails from Lois Lerner, a former IRS official at the center of a scandal involving extra scrutiny of Tea Party groups and other organizations seeking tax-exempt status. Koskinen, who was appointed months after the scandal, denies lying and said the IRS has turned over the relevant Lerner emails but lost other ones due to "the inadvertent destruction of very old tapes." The Justice Department found mismanagement but no criminal wrongdoing in its investigation of the IRS, but Chaffetz said the House has no choice to but impeach Koskinen. "You can't be under a duly issued subpoena and mislead Congress, and when you provide false testimony there has to be a consequence," he said.
Congress hasn't tried to impeach a U.S. official other than the president since 1876, when the House went after War Secretary William W. Belknap, and no official below cabinet level has ever faced impeachment. "This is unprecedented in many respects," University of North Carolina law professor Michael Gerhardt tells The New York Times. But "lying to Congress is a very serious charge, and if somebody were actually guilty of that, that is a perfectly legitimate basis for their removal."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Koskinen says he plans to attend the next hearing, in June, but barring some bombshell revelation, his job is probably safe. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has said that the Senate won't convict the IRS commissioner even if the House approves impeachment, noting the two-thirds vote needed and the lack of appetite for going after Koskinen, a businessman known for managing organizations in crisis. Still, The Washington Post observes, "by holding hearings, House leaders are allowing IRS opponents to keep their constituents' frustration with an unpopular agency in the foreground — and a good political target in their crosshairs."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Playful goslings, an exploding snowman, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress honors real-life Rosie the Riveters
Speed Read These American women reshaped the work force during World War II
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Outgunned Ukraine could fall, US general warns
Speed Read Without more US aid, Ukraine is at risk of losing the war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published