Musk’s DOGE Team Targets IRS for Audit Amid Federal Spending Review, Trump Weighs In [WATCH] |​ RVM News

A key member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative has arrived at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) headquarters to conduct an audit of the agency’s spending and operations.

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According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, citing three sources familiar with the matter, Gavin Kliger, a central figure in Musk’s government efficiency team, met with senior IRS executives on Thursday.

Kliger’s visit marks the first time a DOGE official has conducted an in-person review at the IRS’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

His role within the Office of Personnel Management has been instrumental in identifying wasteful spending, and his arrival at the IRS signals that the tax agency will be under close scrutiny as part of a broader federal spending review.

A separate report from Reuters revealed that senior IRS officials have been directed to identify and terminate all “non-essential” contracts.

According to an internal email reviewed by the outlet, the General Services Administration (GSA), which oversees government contracts, has ordered a full review of IRS expenditures.

The email outlined that contracts deemed unnecessary, particularly those that “merely generate a report, research, coaching, or an artifact,” are being considered for termination.

“Consistent with the goals and directives of the Trump administration to eliminate waste, reduce spending, and increase efficiency, GSA has taken the first steps in a government-wide initiative to eliminate non-essential consulting contracts,” the email stated.

President Donald Trump confirmed that the IRS, like all federal agencies, will be subject to a comprehensive audit.

When asked about the IRS review, Trump made it clear that no department would be exempt from scrutiny.

“The Internal Revenue Service will be looked at like everybody else,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday. “Just about everybody is going to be looked at.”

Despite Kliger’s visit, The Wall Street Journal reported that he does not have access to the IRS’s computer systems or taxpayer information. As of now, no operational changes or layoffs have been suggested.

The IRS currently employs approximately 100,000 workers following a significant expansion in 2022.

Trump has previously suggested that a portion of the agency’s new hires could be reassigned to address national security concerns, particularly the ongoing border crisis.

As part of the agency’s transition, former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri has been nominated to serve as the next IRS Commissioner.

While Long awaits Senate confirmation, Douglas O’Donnell is serving as the acting commissioner. His predecessor, Danny Werfel, resigned on Inauguration Day rather than face removal.

O’Donnell was recently informed by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) that “business as usual at the IRS is unacceptable.”

Trump’s executive order implementing a federal hiring freeze on Inauguration Day has significantly impacted the IRS.

While some agencies have been granted flexibility, IRS employees currently working through the tax filing season must remain on staff until at least May 15 under the administration’s deferred resignation program.

Republican lawmakers have continued efforts to roll back the IRS expansion initiated under Joe Biden in 2022.

Democrats secured an additional $80 billion in funding at the time, allowing for the hiring of approximately 80,000 new employees.

GOP lawmakers have worked to cut portions of that funding and are expected to introduce further measures to limit the agency’s growth.

With Musk’s DOGE team now examining the agency’s spending and contract management, the IRS faces increasing pressure to justify its expenditures and streamline its operations.

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