Critics say IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley uses quotation marks to delegitimize his claims
Hunter Biden’s controversy with his father’s administration intensified after his plea deal, particularly with the emergence of two IRS whistleblowers who raised concerns about alleged misconduct in the handling of the Justice Department investigation.
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However, the mainstream media is not giving significant coverage to IRS whistleblowers. Instead, they are covering people referred to in quotation marks as IRS “whistleblowers,” indicating skepticism or questioning of their status.
On Tuesday, The New York Times made headlines by corroborating a claim made by IRS investigator Gary Shapley. The U.S. says the DOJ has denied its requests to pursue more serious charges against Hunter Biden in California and Washington, D.C. Shapley alleged that attorney David Weiss informed several people. Interestingly, the Times did not name Shapley as a whistleblower in their article; Instead, they described him as “testifying under what Republicans say are whistle-blower protections.”
In another article published the same day, Times reporter Peter Baker offered a more skeptical perspective.
Baker noted, “[C]ongressional Republicans are promoting two individuals referred to as I.R.S. ‘whistle-blowers’ who claim to have obstructed Mr. Weiss, even though the Justice Department itself has denied it.” The report focused primarily on Democrats expressing discomfort with Hunter Biden’s recent public appearances.
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Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross found the New York Times’ use of quotation marks “interesting,” suggesting that individuals should not be considered actual whistleblowers. He noted that the paper did not use similar quotation marks in its coverage of other whistleblowers, including the claims that led to former President Trump’s first impeachment.
Responding to the Times’ policy, Fox News contributor Joe Concha expressed his surprise, “In another example of biased media outlets, the New York Times’ Hunter Biden uses quotation marks around the word ‘whistleblower’ when discussing IRS whistleblowers. This usage suggests doubt about their credibility or allegations.” Absolutely stunning.”
Curious why NYT put "whistle-blowers" in quotes like this, suggesting that they aren't actually whistleblowers. https://t.co/MU3oEZAJdp pic.twitter.com/NMhUk4rxla
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) June 28, 2023
In today's lesson of blatantly biased media outlets, the New York Times gives the Hunter Biden IRS whistleblowers the quotes-around-the-whistleblower-word treatment to imply skepticism regarding their credibility and/or allegation. Just incredible. pic.twitter.com/qXVbjyGqBg
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) June 28, 2023
Tristan Leavitt, Shapley’s attorney, took a swipe at Baker, writing, “It’s irresponsible to put ‘whistleblower’ in quotes to write about Gary Shapley & other IRS agent. Especially when @nytimes corroborates their key obstruction charge!”
“In the nation’s capital, where scare quotes are rarely accidental and always noticed,” it’s irresponsible to keep putting “whistleblower” in quotes to write about Gary Shapley & the other IRS agent. Especially when the @nytimes has confirmed their key allegation of obstruction! https://t.co/mfo31tADNx
— Tristan Leavitt (@tristanleavitt) June 28, 2023
On Wednesday’s episode of “Today,” NBC ran a banner reading “Hunter Biden ‘Whistleblower’ Speaks Out” in response to a CBS News interview with Shapley, who testified to Congress about DOJ interference he faced while at the helm. investigation.
However, NBC News correspondent Gabe Gutierrez framed the growing scandal as GOP efforts to “shift the spotlight” away from former President Trump’s ongoing legal troubles.
NBC later removed the use of quotations for an on-air graphic about a whistleblower during the “NBC Nightly News”.
Later in the day, Los Angeles Times senior legal affairs columnist Harry Litman told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell that Shapley was “not a whistleblower.”
“A whistleblower goes to an agency, follows a procedure, and
says something is wrong. This person may just be a complainant with a political ax to grind or a professional,” Littman said.
Mitchell tried to walk back her own use of the term whistleblower for Shapley, pointing to how the GOP-controlled Ways and Means Committee declared him and how she generally defers to the person’s title. Litman responded by knocking Republicans for their preferred phraseology, an “Orwellian run.”
“I mean a whistleblower, a person who reports wrongdoing in an agency, goes through the process and is rejected. You know this person has political complaints or professional complaints, but he’s just a person. He didn’t go through any process. There’s no verification and it’s unbelievable, ” Littman told Mitchell.
As Ross pointed out on Twitter, Littman previously celebrated a convicted intel leaker reality winner described as “2021 Whistleblower of the Year” by the Constantine Cannon Whistleblower Team.
“#RealityWinner Wins That Tough and Righteous Competition for Whistleblower of the Year,” Litman wrote in February 2022.
#RealityWinner wins a tough and righteous competition for Whistleblower of the Year. @CCWhistleblower https://t.co/lIskKbfg7X
— Harry Litman (@harrylitman) February 2, 2022
The Washington Post last week asked “Who Are the House GOP’s ‘Whistleblowers’ About Biden and the FBI?” published an article titled The piece provides a summary of various whistleblowers who have come forward to Congress, including IRS officials, shedding light on their identities and testimony.
The Washington Post notes that Republicans have given considerable weight to the allegations made by these “whistleblowers” as they continue to pursue congressional investigations. Their goal is to portray President Biden and his family as corrupt while accusing the federal government of being manipulated by the administration for political gain.
However, Democrats and some legal experts have raised doubts about the credibility of some of these people, describing them as disgruntled employees with baseless claims. Their eligibility for whistleblower protection under the law was debated. By labeling them “whistleblowers,” Republicans were able to share limited information about their claims, citing the need to protect these individuals. As a result, it has been challenging to verify the veracity of their allegations, according to committee staffers who spoke on condition of anonymity to address sensitive matters.