Emails pertinent to IRS business have to be hard copied prior to electronic deletion. That is the law. IRS employees not following that law and involved with unjustied scrutiny of conservative organizations are in severe jeopardy. There should be one or two that will tell the truth to stay out of jail. But maybe not. Obama followers are crazy to begin with.
I have seen that regulation. However, since political activity is not IRS business, they can take a pass on complying for those emails.