9/11/24 Jim Bovard on IRS Election Meddling and the Trump-Harris Debate
Sep 14, 2024
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Jim Bovard, a columnist and author of 'Last Rights: The Death of American Liberty,' dives into the IRS's alleged role in swaying the 2020 election. He discusses Hunter Biden's financial troubles and how they were handled compared to others. The conversation critiques the recent presidential debate, addressing candidate coherence and libertarian misconceptions. Bovard reflects on censorship regarding mail-in voting and the dynamic of political discourse, alongside personal anecdotes about faith and liberty.
Jim Bovard discusses how the IRS's handling of Hunter Biden's tax issues reveals significant political bias affecting law enforcement integrity.
The podcast explores how media manipulation during the 2020 election shaped public perception, particularly regarding the Hunter Biden laptop scandal.
Deep dives
Hunter Biden's Financial Troubles and IRS Investigations
Hunter Biden received over $8 million from questionable foreign sources between 2014 and 2019, resulting in a significant tax issue where he failed to pay more than $1 million. The IRS commenced an investigation in 2018, which included several agents working on the case; however, no charges were filed before the statute of limitations expired for tax violations from 2014 and 2015. The investigation faced unusual obstacles, including a refusal to seek a search warrant on Biden's properties due to perceived negative optics, contrasting the aggressive search of Donald Trump's residence by the FBI. This discrepancy highlights concerns regarding the fairness and consistency of the law enforcement approach toward politically connected individuals.
Political Implications of IRS Investigations
The investigation into Hunter Biden's finances began before the critical 2020 election, during a period when Joe Biden was perceived to have an integrity advantage against Donald Trump. As Hunter's financial activities and the IRS inquiry progressed, the political ramifications became apparent, particularly when Joe Biden denied any wrongdoing related to his son's financial dealings. The podcast discusses how election dynamics would have shifted significantly had the truth about Hunter's IRS issues emerged before voters went to the polls. This concealment arguably protected Joe Biden's image and may have influenced the election outcome, which was decided by a very narrow margin.
Whistleblowers and IRS Misconduct
IRS whistleblowers, particularly agent Gary Shapley, revealed significant political bias affecting the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax crimes, claiming preferential treatment was applied. Shapley's testimony indicated that crucial steps in the investigation were obstructed, preventing thorough interviews and evidence collection. These allegations of a politically motivated blockade reveal a broader issue of how political influence can potentially compromise the integrity of law enforcement. The podcast suggests that this manipulation ultimately served to protect Hunter Biden and safeguard the Biden administration's standing during the presidential campaign.
Media and Political Manipulation Around the Biden Family
The discussion highlights the active role of the media and intelligence agents in shaping public perception, particularly regarding the Hunter Biden laptop scandal. During the lead-up to the 2020 election, efforts to portray allegations against Hunter Biden as Russian disinformation highlighted a concerted effort to manage narratives that could be detrimental to the Biden campaign. The suppression of information and manipulation by various parties contributed to a public perception that favored Joe Biden over Donald Trump, allowing allegations of illegitimacy surrounding Trump's actions to overshadow potential wrongdoing by the Biden family. This intricate web of media influence and political maneuvering raises questions about transparency and the accountability of those in power.
Scott interviews Jim Bovard about an article he wrote on how the IRS influenced the 2020 election. They also talk about the presidential debate, the various factions of libertarianism, the assassination attempt on Trump and more.
