Trump Issues Bold IRS Job Cut Proposal

President Donald Trump proposes moving nearly 90,000 IRS agents to the southern border, sparking controversy and raising questions about tax collection and federal finances.

Quick Takes

Trump suggests reassigning or terminating thousands of IRS employees hired under the Biden administration.
The proposal includes moving IRS agents to patrol the US-Mexico border while armed.
Trump floats the idea of eliminating income tax and replacing it with tariffs.
Concerns arise about potential impacts on tax collection and federal revenue.
The plan is part of Trump’s broader political agenda focusing on border security and trade reform.

Trump’s Controversial IRS Proposal

During a recent rally in Las Vegas, former President Donald Trump unveiled a contentious plan regarding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Trump proposed reassigning or terminating nearly 90,000 IRS agents hired under the Biden administration, suggesting they could be moved to patrol the southern border while armed. This announcement has ignited a fierce debate about the potential consequences for tax collection and federal finances.

Trump’s proposal is rooted in his criticism of the Biden administration’s plan to expand the IRS workforce. The Democrats approved $80 billion in funding for the IRS in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, intending to hire approximately 87,000 new agents over ten years. Trump argues that this expansion is excessive and unnecessary.

Potential Impact on Tax Collection

Critics of Trump’s proposal warn that reducing the IRS workforce could severely impact tax collection efforts. The IRS plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with tax laws and collecting revenue necessary for funding essential government programs. A significant reduction in IRS staff could potentially lead to increased tax evasion and a decrease in federal revenue.

The U.S. government relies heavily on tax revenues to fund critical programs such as Social Security and healthcare. Any significant disruption to the tax collection process could have far-reaching consequences for these essential services and the overall federal budget.

Replacing Income Tax with Tariffs

In addition to his IRS proposal, Trump suggested the possibility of eliminating income tax altogether and replacing it with tariffs. He cited historical precedent, noting that from 1870 to 1913, the United States relied primarily on tariffs for revenue. This idea aligns with Trump’s broader vision for trade reform and his emphasis on protecting American workers and industries.

“How about just no tax, You could do that. You know if the tariffs work out like I think, a thing like that could happen, if you want to know the truth.” – Trump

Trump’s plan includes imposing tariffs of 10% to 20% on all foreign goods and up to 60% on Chinese imports. He argues that this approach would generate substantial revenue for the U.S. Treasury while also protecting American businesses from foreign competition.

Border Security and IRS Agents

A key aspect of Trump’s proposal involves reassigning IRS agents to the southern border. He suggested that these agents could help patrol the border while armed, citing the fact that certain IRS agents are permitted to carry firearms as part of their duties under IRS Code, 26 U.S. Code § 7608.

“I think we’re going to move them to the border where they are allowed to carry guns. You know, they’re so strong on guns. But these people are allowed to carry guns. So we will probably move them to the border.” – Donald Trump

This proposal aligns with Trump’s campaign focus on border security and immigration control. However, critics argue that IRS agents lack the necessary training and expertise for border patrol duties, raising concerns about the effectiveness and safety of such a move.

Political Implications

Trump’s announcement has reignited the debate over the role and size of the IRS. Republicans have long viewed the agency as bloated and adversarial, while Democrats argue that a well-funded IRS is crucial for fair tax collection and reducing the federal deficit.