IRS Chief Koskinen Calls Impeachment ‘Improper’ at Hearing
- Partisan accusations fly as Democrats ask about Trump’s taxes
- Commissioner expresses regret for ‘failings’ on agency e-mails
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen is sworn in before testifying to the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 21, 2016, in Washington.
Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen expressed regret Wednesday that the agency failed to preserve all the information congressional investigators sought in a 2014 probe of the agency, but told federal lawmakers it would be “improper” to impeach him.
During a 3 1/2-hour hearing dominated by partisan exchanges -- with Democrats aiming barbs at Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump -- Koskinen, 77, sought to persuade members of the House Judiciary Committee to stave off an impeachment drive by the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus. Koskinen’s appearance was arranged last week; congressional leaders promised the hearing after Freedom Caucus members backed off their demands for an immediate impeachment floor vote.