In February 2025, a young staff member identified as Gavin Kliger affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as Doge, appeared at the Internal Revenue Service without prior notice or standard vetting procedures. According to the account, Kliger arrived at the IRS building unannounced and requested access to sensitive computer systems containing taxpayer information, as well as government-issued devices and an email account. IRS human resources officials stated they had no advance notice of his arrival or credentials from Treasury Department officials who typically clear political appointees.
Kliger’s presence triggered a series of policy disputes regarding standard federal protocols. IRS staff indicated that before any new personnel could work in the building, they were required to pass a tax audit and complete mandatory presentations on ethics and taxpayer information security. According to the account, Kliger resisted these requirements, arguing they should not apply to him. IRS officials maintained that such procedures were standard for all new employees and non-negotiable.
The incident occurred against a broader backdrop of activity by the Doge team at federal agencies. Around the same time, the IRS received an email from its human resources office requesting all 100,000 employees to submit summaries of their weekly accomplishments, a practice that IRS privacy officers flagged as potentially problematic given the sensitive nature of tax information and confidentiality laws governing federal employees who handle such data. The combination of events prompted concerns among IRS staff about whether new oversight procedures aligned with existing legal requirements and federal workplace standards.
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