Trump Must Be Criticized For This

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Look, we hate to do this, but Trump has to be criticized for what he just did. In a rather stark reversal of both his campaign promises and his earlier actions, he just went against the wishes of his base. For years, Donald Trump rallied his supporters with bold pledges to dismantle the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), painting it as a bloated, intrusive bureaucracy that harassed hardworking Americans. During his 2025 campaign, he doubled down, promising to slash the agency’s workforce by 50%, a move that resonated with voters tired of tax audits and complex filings. Early in his latest administration, he took decisive steps to make good on that vow, initiating layoffs and buyouts that trimmed the IRS’s staff significantly. Yet, in a stunning about-face, Trump has now ordered the rehiring of thousands of IRS agents, effectively expanding the agency he once vowed to shrink. This flip-flop not only contradicts his earlier rhetoric but also risks alienating the very supporters who propelled him back into office, raising questions about consistency, accountability, and the true priorities of his administration.

The initial cuts to the IRS were framed as a victory for fiscal conservatism and individual liberty. Trump’s plan, outlined in early 2025, aimed to reduce the agency’s workforce—then numbering around 90,000 employees—by half, arguing that a leaner IRS would reduce the burden on taxpayers and redirect funds to more pressing national needs. This followed years of criticism from conservative circles about the agency’s overreach, particularly after the contentious debates over Biden’s proposal to add 87,000 new IRS agents. Trump seized on that narrative, denouncing the idea as creating an “army of auditors” poised to target middle-class families. His administration moved quickly, implementing layoffs and encouraging early retirements, which saw thousands of employees leave the agency. At the time, this was hailed as a fulfillment of his campaign promise, a signal that he was serious about reining in government overreach.

Fast forward to late August 2025, and the story has taken a dramatic turn. Reports indicate that the Trump administration is now scrambling to reverse those layoffs, calling back fired staff, coaxing out early retirees, and even expanding the IRS workforce to address what officials describe as “staffing gaps” and “operational needs.” This pivot is tied to the rollout of the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a new tax reform package that reportedly requires a robust IRS to implement effectively. The irony is palpable: the man who once promised to dismantle the agency is now making it bigger, hiring more agents to enforce a tax system he once suggested could be replaced with tariffs and an “External Revenue Service.” This reversal feels less like a strategic adjustment and more like a desperate backpedal, driven by the practical realities of governing rather than any coherent ideological stance.

Critics, including some within his own base, have every right to feel betrayed. Trump’s campaign was built on a platform of keeping promises, of delivering on the expectations he set with his supporters. The decision to rehire and expand the IRS workforce directly contradicts that pledge, suggesting either a lack of foresight or a willingness to abandon principles when convenience dictates. The earlier layoffs, while disruptive, aligned with the anti-government sentiment that fueled his electoral success. Now, by rebuilding the agency, Trump risks being seen as just another politician who talks tough but caves when faced with administrative challenges. This is not the decisive leadership his voters signed up for—it’s a pragmatic retreat that potentially undermines his credibility.

The operational justification for this reversal—claims of chaos and delays in tax processing—does little to soften the blow. Rather than addressing it with innovative solutions—such as streamlining tax codes or leveraging technology—he’s opted for the blunt instrument of rehiring, which only reinforces the agency’s size and scope. This approach not only contradicts his earlier actions but also suggests a slight lack of imagination. If the IRS was truly the monster he described, why not seek to reform it fundamentally rather than pump more bodies into a broken system?

Moreover, the timing of this decision raises eyebrows. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is touted as a cornerstone of Trump’s economic agenda, yet its reliance on an expanded IRS hints at a deeper issue: the tax cuts and reforms it promises may be so complex or revenue-intensive that they require a stronger enforcement arm to make them work. This could mean higher scrutiny for taxpayers, the very outcome Trump once railed against. It’s a bitter pill for his base, who expected relief from IRS overreach, not an agency revitalized to collect more aggressively. The administration’s spin—that this is about “modernizing” the IRS—feels like a weak excuse, a cover for a policy shift that prioritizes political survival over principle.

In the end, Trump’s decision to expand the IRS is a disappointing capitulation. It goes against the grain of his campaign rhetoric, his initial policy moves, and the desires of his base. While operational needs may have forced his hand, the lack of a creative alternative or a clear explanation leaves a sour taste. This is not the Trump who promised to drain the swamp—it’s a leader who, when faced with the mess, decided to add more water instead of fixing the pipes. For a president who built his brand on keeping his word, this reversal is a self-inflicted wound that could haunt his legacy if not addressed with transparency and a renewed commitment to his original vision.

It would seem that even Trump can mess up from time to time. And that’s normal. None of us are perfect, But if something isn’t in line with the America First agenda (like a bloated IRS), we’re not going to be afraid to call it out.