Treasury secretary backs tougher IRS leaker penalties amid lingering DOGE data questions

Treasury secretary backs tougher IRS leaker penalties amid lingering DOGE data questions

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told senators this week that he isn’t aware of DOGE representatives accessing an IRS database or exporting sensitive information — but he is in favor of stiffer penalties for anyone who does break tax agency disclosure laws. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, asked Bessent on Wednesday whether any DOGE staff have had access t…