Posted on 05/14/2013 7:45:38 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
US President Barack Obama has said the federal tax agency's targeting of conservative groups for extra scrutiny was "intolerable and inexcusable".
He said those responsible for the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) actions would be held responsible.
Mr Obama spoke after a treasury department report placed the blame on "ineffective management" at the agency.
The US attorney general earlier ordered an FBI inquiry into the IRS conduct before the 2012 presidential election.
Eric Holder told a news conference that agents would determine if any laws had been broken.
The actions of tax officers, if not criminal, were "certainly outrageous and unacceptable", Mr Holder added. 'Inappropriate criteria'
The IRS had used key words such as "Tea Party" and "Patriot" to subject applications by groups seeking tax-exempt status for extra scrutiny.
On Tuesday evening, Mr Obama said in a statement on the treasury department's investigation: "The report's findings are intolerable and inexcusable.
"The IRS must apply the law in a fair and impartial way, and its employees must act with utmost integrity. This report shows that some of its employees failed that test."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
From what we know so far this appears to be an A-grade scandal - a shocking abuse of power with apparently political motives. President Obama says he's outraged - and has moved quickly to make it clear he knew nothing about it.
It is true that plenty of groups claim to be non-political when most sensible people would say that politics is their main purpose. But on the evidence so far, it seems only right-wing groups were targeted - and more bizarrely still only small local ones, not the huge lobby groups.
This affair, along with the justice department's raid on the Associated Press, is likely to have a political impact. Conservative groups have long claimed an overbearing administration is targeting their freedoms and that abuses of power are ignored by a complacent media. The events of this week will strengthen their belief that someone is out to get them.
intolerable? Oh Yeah.
I bet he’s crying himself to sleep tonight over all those po’ disenfranchised ‘conservatives’.. after a few beers and cigs.
I’ll bet Barry wishes Bush hadn’t made him do it.
it’s gonna hurt but.. Uncle Joe as Prez.. Oh man.. what next?
What ? no , “Held Accountable”
Yikes! I hadn’t thought of that.
Obama lies!
Held accountable = Four weeks of paid leave.
FUBO!!!
Getting caught is the only thing “intolerable” to the Obama administration.
IRS official Lerner speedily approved exemption for Obama brothers charity
The Daily Caller ^ | 05/14/2013 | Charles C. Johnson
Posted on May 14, 2013 4:12:15 PM AKDT by cutty
Lois Lerner, the senior IRS official at the center of the decision to target tea party groups for burdensome tax scrutiny, signed paperwork granting tax-exempt status to the Barack H. Obama Foundation, a shady charity headed by the presidents half-brother that operated illegally for years.
According to the organizations filings, Lerner approved the foundations tax status within a month of filing, an unprecedented timeline that stands in stark contrast to conservative organizations that have been waiting for more than three years, in some cases, for approval.
Lerner also appears to have broken with the norms of tax-exemption approval by granting retroactive tax-exempt status to Malik Obamas organization.
Bush is so ... well, yesterday. Now everything is Rush’s fault.
I know one thing, I’m enjoying all of this corruption being “unveiled” by the boys and girls in the District of Corruption. The Obama regime is now the most corrupt administration ever.
I sometimes wonder if Crazy Joe would be an improvement.
Outraged? Apparently Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi didn’t get the “outrage” memo. Unless the Republicans hold very aggressive and comprehensive hearings in the House, all of this will die out by next week. Obama will soon be playing golf and vacationing.
Not surprising that he is saying this... after he is safely re-elected.
The question is what will he do. I notice that Eric Holder is still stonewalling on Fast and Furious.
I agree. I’m going to have to update my thinking. It’s all Rush’s fault now. Thankfully, this shouldn’t present much of a spelling problem for the illiterate libs. Bumper stickers can easily be modified too! LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.