IRS Chief Counsel Replaced as Musk’s DOGE Pushes for Taxpayer Data Access

The Department of Government Efficiency's controversial initiatives coincide with significant IRS workforce reductions and internal resistance from career officials.

William Paul, the IRS acting chief counsel, has been removed and replaced by Andrew De Mello, who is seen as supportive of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is seeking access to sensitive taxpayer data as part of efforts to reduce federal spending and address fraud in benefits programs.
The IRS is planning to cut its workforce by up to 50%, with thousands of employees already laid off or incentivized to leave through buyouts.
Paul’s removal follows resistance from career staff across multiple federal agencies to DOGE’s push for access to sensitive systems and data.
Critics warn that these actions, including workforce reductions, may undermine the IRS’s ability to effectively manage tax collection and safeguard taxpayer information.