Former Treasury officials engaged in close coordination with left-wing organizations during the Biden administration's development of tax policies and messaging strategies.
According to Just the News, newly disclosed emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Protect the Public's Trust reveal extensive communication between Treasury Department officials and employees of progressive nonprofits regarding policy development and public messaging.
The emails demonstrate frequent exchanges between key Treasury personnel and representatives from organizations like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and Public Citizen. These communications focused on crafting responses to Republican criticisms, developing talking points for former officials, and shaping IRS modernization efforts.
Victoria Esser of Belle Haven Consulting reached out to Ellen Nissenbaum, then Senior Vice President at CBPP, requesting assistance with talking points for former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew's media appearances. The correspondence specifically addressed concerns about potential criticism of tax gap numbers and IRS enforcement measures.
Treasury officials actively coordinated with CBPP to counter Republican arguments about IRS funding and enforcement estimates. Natasha Sarin, who served as counselor to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, worked closely with Nissenbaum to prepare defensive messaging strategies.
The collaboration extended to policy implementation discussions, with Treasury officials seeking input from progressive organizations on various aspects of tax administration and enforcement priorities.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Antonio White organized meetings between Treasury leadership and representatives from CBPP and Public Citizen to discuss IRS modernization and equity initiatives. These discussions covered the implementation of Child Tax Credit programs and strategies for tax enforcement.
The Treasury Department sought guidance from these organizations on legislative and policy perspectives for future tax benefits. They also requested input on principles that should guide IRS compliance efforts.
Michael Chamberlain, Director of Protect the Public's Trust, expressed concern about the level of influence these special interest groups wielded. He said:
These documents reveal Treasury officials exhibiting much of the worst of the Biden administration – overreach of statutory authority, outsourcing policy making to outside special interest groups, and dealing harshly with dissenting voices.
Internal communications reveal Treasury officials' concerns about managing public perception and responding to criticism. The department relied heavily on progressive organizations to develop counter-messaging strategies and policy frameworks.
The relationship between Treasury officials and these organizations appeared particularly close when addressing Republican challenges to IRS funding and enforcement estimates. Officials worked directly with CBPP to coordinate responses to Congressional opposition.
Documentation shows Treasury staff provided messaging materials directly to outside groups for use in public communications, raising questions about the boundaries between government operations and special interest advocacy.
The Treasury Department's extensive collaboration with progressive nonprofits during the Biden administration has sparked debate about the role of special interest groups in federal policymaking. These email exchanges demonstrate the significant involvement of outside organizations in developing tax policy, crafting public messaging, and shaping IRS modernization efforts. The disclosed communications highlight concerns about the influence of progressive groups on Treasury operations and their role in responding to political opposition.
