'Total sham!' Defense Secretary Hegseth blames 'Biden IRS' over $33K audit

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed disgust on social media Monday after apparently receiving an IRS audit notice addressed to him and his wife.

Hegseth posted a photo of the notice that read, "Dear Peter B & Jennifer A. Hegseth: We're auditing your federal income tax return." The notice continued, "You owe a balance of $33,558.16" and advised them to "pay the balance due now to avoid additional penalties."

Hegseth wrote, "Of course the outgoing Biden IRS rushed an 'audit' of the incoming SecDef. Total sham. The party of 'norms' and 'decency' strikes again. We will never back down."

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The former Fox News host was nominated to lead the Pentagon shortly after Donald Trump won the 2024 election.

His nomination was hotly contested by Democrats who complained Hegseth was woefully unqualified to lead the Pentagon. In addition, Hegseth faced allegations of sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement. Vice President J.D. Vance was called upon to cast the tie-breaking vote that led to Hegseth's confirmation.

Military.com reporter Konstantin Toropin questioned the wisdom of Hegseth posting the notice on social media.

Toropin wrote, "The Secretary of Defense appears to have posted a document that shows he owes more than $33,000 in taxes following an audit. Aside from his calls to defy the IRS, this raises a myriad of questions from the quality of the vetting that was done to his vulnerability to bribes."