IRS Chief Counsel Nominee Jim Gadwood Refused to Say Whether He Works For Trump or Supports the IRS Immunity Deal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 

Washington, D.C. – Today, IRS Chief Counsel nominee James Gadwood appeared at a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing. When asked by Ranking Member Wyden whether he currently worked for President Trump or his businesses, he refused to say yes or no. When asked whether he would support President Trump’s IRS immunity deal or if he thought the IRS should audit presidential tax returns, he refused to say yes or no.

As Senator Wyden noted, “Mr. Gadwood is currently employed by a law firm that represents Donald Trump’s holding company, but refuses to disclose whether the President or his family are his clients. Past nominees have all been willing to disclose their client lists to the Committee and recuse themselves from issues related to Trump; Mr. Gadwood has done neither.”

In response, Cole Leiter, Executive Director of Americans Against Government Censorship shared the following statement:
“James Gadwood had every opportunity today to reassure taxpayers that he would stand up to the political weaponization of the IRS. Instead, he refused to answer basic questions about who he works for – President Trump’s personal interests or the American peoples’ – whether presidential tax returns should be audited, and whether he supports Trump’s IRS immunity deal. At a time when the IRS is being used to protect the powerful and target political enemies, the Senate should not confirm an IRS Chief Counsel who won’t say whether he’ll defend the rule of law or help Trump bend it to his will.”