According to a Reuters survey, the number of federal tax crime prosecutions in the United States has fallen to the lowest level in decades this year, dropping more than 27% compared to the same period last year, reflecting the impact of the Trump administration's large-scale reallocation of law enforcement resources and priorities. The report pointed out that the Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criminal investigation department have experienced significant personnel losses, with many case-handling lawyers and agents being reassigned to immigration enforcement or Washington-based public order patrols. The Tax Division, established by the Department of Justice in the 1930s, was also abolished this year. At least one-third of the Tax Division's criminal prosecutors chose to resign rather than be transferred. Data shows that from January to November this year, the federal prosecutors only filed 251 tax-related criminal charges, which is the lowest level in recent years. Current and former officials are concerned that the sharp reduction in enforcement has weakened the deterrent effect on tax evasion, potentially increasing the risk of violations. At the same time, the IRS criminal investigation department has cut more than 10% of its staff this year, with some agents required to participate in city patrols to respond to Trump's order to strengthen public order. Analysts warn that the hollowing out of tax enforcement not only weakens the government's ability to recover taxes but also undermines the long-standing foundation of maintaining tax order through criminal deterrence.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851185648727050/
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