Jay Sekulow

Jay Sekulow Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. He is an accomplished Supreme Court advocate, renowned expert on religious liberty, and a respected broadcaster. http://aclj.org/jay-sekulow Moving a Washington Scandal Out of Town It's amazing that there are those — including The New York Times — that continue to prop up the flawed finger-pointing of the Internal Revenue Service, blaming a couple of rogue agents out of its Cincinnati office for the unlawful targeting of conservative groups. The New York Times — along with the IRS — is simply wrong in their assertion that this scandal is based in, and limited to, Cincinnati and not Washington, D.C. We know Washington was deeply involved. We have letters from Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations, and IRS attorney Carter Hull, and Cincinnati officials have said they were micromanaged by D.C. officials. Now, there is a new admission from another top IRS supervisor in Washington — Holly Paz — who told congressional investigators that she was involved in 20 to 30 of the cases. By the way, her signature is also on letters to our clients as well. The left is doing all that it can to keep the focus off Washington in this scandal. . . . <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/18/moving-a-washington-scandal-out-of-town/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article on WashingtonTimes.com</a> Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:13:00 GMT http://aclj.org/us-constitution/sekulow-moving-washington-scandal-town Another D.C. Connection in the IRS Targeting Scheme New information from one of the top IRS supervisors in Washington, D.C. confirms what we have been arguing from the beginning - the IRS scheme to unlawfully and unconstitutionally target conservative groups was well planned and coordinated - and did not originate with a couple of rogue agents out of the Cincinnati office as the IRS contends. We have already confirmed that IRS Director of the Exempt Organizations, <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-letters-of-intimidation-to-tea-party-groups-from-lois-lerner-irs-director-exempt-organizations" target="_blank">Lois Lerner</a>, was involved in the scheme, sending some 15 letters to our clients. Now, <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRS_INVESTIGATION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-16-20-08-50" target="_blank">Holly Paz</a>, a top supervisor who worked for Lerner, has told congressional investigators that she was personally involved in reviewing 20 to 30 applications for tax-exempt status by Tea Party groups. Of course, we knew about her involvement, too, because her name was on letters sent to some of our clients.   And now we learn about a bizarre new assertion: Paz claims the phrase "Tea Party" - one of the terms used in the targeting scheme - was merely shorthand for all applications from groups that were politically active - conservative and liberal. That assertion doesn't seem to square with the facts since no liberal groups were singled out and targeted by the IRS.   Paz also contends that these Tea Party applications sat untouched for more than a year because of a miscommunication problem. She told investigators that field agents waited for guidance from Washington on how to handle them while Washington officials thought the agents in Cincinnati were processing the cases. So, are we to believe that one office didn't know what the other was doing for a year? No phone calls? No email follow-ups? As I told Martha MacCallum on FOX News this morning, an interesting fact is this period of inactivity at the IRS - when the applications were sitting on a desk gathering dust - coincided with the 2012 election cycle.   We're in the process of amending our initial federal <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/tea-party-complaint.pdf" target="_blank">lawsuit</a> filed against the IRS. We began with some 25 plaintiffs and will add more in the coming week. We will also aggressively pursue answers about the origins of this targeting scheme.   And there are many questions we will be focusing on in our depositions of Holly Paz and others. Who ordered this scheme? How high did it go? How could the White House Counsel and the White House Chief of Staff know about this scheme, and the President did not?   What we do know is that President Obama took an oath when he was sworn into office - an oath that requires the President to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."    Stand with us. Send President Obama a strong message urging him to fulfill his oath.  Add your name to our <a href="http://aclj.org/us-constitution/protect-constitution" target="_blank">Petition to Protect the Constitution</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:01:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-another-d.c.-connection-in-the-irs-targeting-scheme An IRS Out of Control The Internal Revenue Service is out of control. With each day, it gets worse. Let's start with the IRS scheme to secretly target conservative groups. We now know this program was widespread and has deep connections with the national IRS office in Washington, D.C. What we still don't know is how all of this began and who ultimately made the decision to launch this invasive scheme. The fact is the IRS is in complete disarray. Lois Lerner, the Director of Exempt Organizations, has been put on administrative leave, but apparently still has access to her IRS computer and taxpayer data of these conservative groups. Let's not forget - it was Lois Lerner who admitted to this targeting scheme at a meeting of the American Bar Association in early May (after she planted a question in the audience). She claimed that this campaign originated with a couple of low-level employees out of the agency's Cincinnati office. The claim is not sitting well with employees in the Cincinnati office who likened Lerner's finger-pointing as a <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/350883/blaming-cincinnati-nuclear-strike-us-says-cincy-irs-employee-eliana-johnson" target="_blank">"nuclear strike"</a> on the Cincinnati office. And, more importantly, the claim is bogus - it just doesn't square with the facts. We know this scheme was widespread and had the approval and participation of top IRS officials in Washington. In addition to correspondence being sent out of the <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-cincinnati-oh-unredacted.pdf" target="_new">Cincinnati</a> office, our clients also received questionnaires from the <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-washington-dc-office-unredacted.pdf" target="_new">Washington, D.C.</a> office as well as two offices in California - <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-el-monte-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_new">El Monte</a> and <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-laguna-niguel-office-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_new">Laguna Niguel</a>. Further, we have <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/lois-lerner-targeted-irs-inquiry-letter-3-16-2012.pdf" target="_new">letters</a> signed by Lois Lerner herself - 15 letters from her to our clients - demanding additional information that was beyond the scope and constitutionality of what the IRS is permitted to ask. We're moving forward with our federal <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/tea-party-complaint.pdf" target="_new">lawsuit</a> against the IRS representing 25 conservative groups that were unlawfully and unconstitutionally targeted by the IRS simply because of their beliefs. In fact, since we filed the suit a couple of weeks ago, we have been inundated with requests from other conservative groups that were also targeted by the IRS. We will be amending our complaint in the next few weeks adding additional plaintiffs to our lawsuit. This week, we heard Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, declare the IRS scandal was over. The case, he said, was solved. No one believed that and he had to <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/elijah-cummings-clarifies-irs-case-not-solved-92689.html?hp=r19" target="_new">walk back that comment</a> days later and admit the obvious - the IRS scandal is not solved. Not even close. As if the targeting scandal wasn't enough, <a href="http://cnsnews.com/news/article/irs-buying-spying-equipment-covert-cameras-coffee-trays-plants" target="_blank">CNSNews</a>.com this week uncovered plans by the IRS to purchase spy equipment - cameras that could be hidden in coffee trays, plants, and even clock radios. After that story broke, the IRS abruptly <a href="http://cnsnews.com/news/article/irs-cancels-order-spying-equipment" target="_blank">cancelled</a> its rush order for the cameras. From spy equipment - to semi-automatic weapons. Amazingly, we now learn IRS agents are being trained and equipped with AR-15 semi-automatic rifles. The discovery was made by Rep. Jeff Duncan who is chairman of the House Homeland Security oversight subcommittee: "I think Americans raise eyebrows when you tell them that IRS agents are training with a type of weapon that has stand-off capability. It's not like they're carrying a sidearm and they knock on someone's door and say, 'You're evading your taxes,'" <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/jeff-duncan-irs-rifle-training-92662.html?hp=f2" target="_blank">Duncan said</a>. Apparently the IRS needs more than just calculators and computers. As Congress continues to move forward with its investigation into the IRS, we are confident that the truth about this scandal will be revealed and those responsible will be held accountable. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee were able to hear from some of our clients firsthand. At a recent hearing, our clients explained <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-irs-targeting-scheme-willful-act-of-intimidation" target="_self">in their own words</a> the abuse and harassment they have suffered at the hands of the IRS. Many questions remain. Where will the investigation go? Who gave the orders? Was the White House involved? All of this adds up to a serious erosion of public confidence and trust in the Obama Administration. A new <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/12/fox-news-poll-irs-targeting-intentional-act-to-punish-political-opponents-most/" target="_blank">poll</a> reveals that two-thirds of American voters (66 percent) believe the IRS targeted conservative groups as part of a high-level operation to punish political opponents. Here's the problem: The IRS is institutionally incapable of operating - institutionally incapable of governing or self-correcting. The IRS is no longer credible, trustworthy, or capable of carrying out its mission. This is the perfect time for Congress to abolish the IRS and create a fair and simple tax code free from IRS abuse and bureaucracy.  In just the past few days, more than 50,000 Americans have signed on to our <a href="http://aclj.org/us-constitution/abolish-the-irs" target="_self">petition</a> urging Congress to scrap the IRS. It's time for a change. It's time for real tax reform. The American people deserve nothing less. <a href="http://cnsnews.com/blog/jay-sekulow/irs-out-control" target="_blank">This article is crossposted on CNSNews.com</a> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:02:19 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/irs-out-of-control The IRS: Institutionally Incapable of Self-Governance Another day. Another revelation regarding the IRS scandal. We now are learning that the IRS national office in Washington, D.C. knew about the unlawful scheme targeting conservative groups in 2010 - one year earlier than previously acknowledged. Reporters have reviewed transcripts of interviews with IRS workers by Congressional investigators. According to one <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/07/us-usa-irs-scrutiny-idUSBRE95605X20130607" target="_blank">news report</a>, the transcripts show that in July 2010, Elizabeth Hofacre, an IRS official in Cincinnati who was coordinating "emerging issues" for the agency's tax-exempt unit, was corresponding with Washington-based IRS tax attorney Carter Hull. This comes after another revelation that <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/06/07/irs-workers-say-supervisors-directed-targeting/" target="_blank">Hofacre was directed by Carter Hull</a>, the Washington IRS tax attorney, in her investigation of conservative groups. She said Hull micromanaged her work and ultimately delayed the processing of applications by tea party groups. “It was demeaning,” she said. “One of the criteria is to work independently and do research and make decisions based on your experience and education, whereas on this case, I had no autonomy at all through the process.” We checked our records and correspondence with the more than two dozen conservative groups we are representing in a <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/aclj-files-federal-lawsuit-against-irs-on-behalf-of-25-tea-party-groups" target="_blank">federal lawsuit</a> challenging the IRS and <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/irs-attorney-carter-hull-sent-targeted-letters-to-aclj-tea-party-clients-from-washington-d.c" target="_blank">Carter Hull's signature</a> is on abusive and harassing letters sent to our clients. No surprise there. After all, <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-letters-of-intimidation-to-tea-party-groups-from-lois-lerner-irs-director-exempt-organizations" target="_blank">Lois Lerner</a>, the Director of the Exempt Organizations division - who is on paid administrative leave - sent 15 letters to our clients requesting information that violated the First Amendment rights of our clients. In testimony before a House committee yesterday, we learned even more about the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/06/maliciously-self-indulgent-lawmakers-rip-irs-over-conference-spending/" target="_blank">outrageous mis-use of millions of taxpayer dollars by the IRS</a> on its lavish, unchecked spending on conferences and meetings. As I told Martha MacCallum on FOX News this morning, the IRS is out of control - institutionally incapable of self governance and institutionally incapable of self-correction. Nearly 115,000 Americans have now signed on to our petition demanding an end to the IRS abuse. If you haven't done so, please <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/end-irs-abuse" target="_blank">add your name today</a>. As we continue to work on this issue, we are developing a new plan of action for you. The IRS scandal continues to get worse.  It's time to turn up the heat on our government. Details coming Monday. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:52:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-the-irs-institutionally-incapable-of-self-governance IRS Targeting Scheme: "Willful Act of Intimidation" The House Ways and Means Committee today heard from some of the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/04/chairman-anti-gay-marriage-group-says-has-proof-irs-leaked-donor-details/" target="_blank">victims</a> in the IRS scandal. Four of our clients testified before the Committee telling lawmakers first-hand about the abuse and harassment they received from the IRS - simply because of their ideological beliefs. Here's the list of the four clients who shared their stories with the Committee today. <ul> <li>Kevin Kookogey of Linchpins of Liberty from Tennessee</li> <li>Diane Belsom of the Laurens County Tea Party in South Carolina</li> <li>Becky Gerritson of the Wetumpka Tea Party from Alabama</li> <li>Karen Kenney with the San Fernando Valley Patriots in California</li> </ul> We represent these four groups, along with 21 other organizations, in our <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/aclj-files-federal-lawsuit-against-irs-on-behalf-of-25-tea-party-groups" target="_blank">federal lawsuit</a> against the IRS. As we actively work to hold those responsible inside the IRS and the Obama Administration accountable, it's important to put today's hearing into perspective. All of the testimony today was powerful. And it put the focus squarely on the abusive practices that, by the way, are still ongoing at the IRS. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/tea-party-groups-emotionally-describe-harassment-irs-155510287.html" target="_blank">Becky Gerritson of the Wetumpka Tea Party in Alabama</a> told the legislators that her group was singled out by the IRS for one reason - because the words "Tea Party" are part of group's name. As she put it, "This was not an accident, this was a willful act of intimidation." She is absolutely correct. When you hear from people like Becky, you realize the intimidation factor by the IRS is incredible. As I told Megyn Kelly on FOX News today, we have the evidence - the correspondence from the tax lawyers - including letters from <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-letters-of-intimidation-to-tea-party-groups-from-lois-lerner-irs-director-exempt-organizations" target="_blank">Lois Lerner</a>, the Director of the Exempt Organizations division. Letters that show a coordinated effort to unlawfully target these groups. Not a couple of rogue agents out of an Ohio office, as the IRS continues to assert. We are in federal court. And it will be interesting to see how the federal government responds to our lawsuit. Will the government deny the charges in our lawsuit - charges that they orchestrated this targeting scheme? Or will the government admit it?  After all, Lerner herself confessed publicly to this scheme in early May after she planted a question at an American Bar Association meeting. We will continue to get to the bottom of this IRS scheme. We will not rest until this abusive conduct is stopped and those responsible for this campaign of intimidation are held accountable. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:35:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-irs-targeting-scheme-willful-act-of-intimidation It's Time for Holder to Resign Let’s begin with a dose of common sense: Credible accusations of perjury compromise the authority of law enforcement officers, regardless of their rank. Even at the lowest level, law enforcement officials exercise enormous power – holding liberty in their hands as they exercise the discretion of their office, deciding whom to investigate and to prosecute. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. That certainly applies to those at the top – including the attorney general – the nation’s top law enforcement officer. His chief responsibility: upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. And that requires being honest and forthcoming. . . . <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/06/04/it-time-for-holder-to-resign/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article on FoxNews.com</a> Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:19:11 GMT http://aclj.org/us-constitution/time-for-holder-to-resign IRS Scandal Expands; Attorney General Holder Must Go Each day, more troubling information is revealed concerning the depth of the unlawful targeting campaign against conservative groups put in place by the Internal Revenue Service. We know that one agent out of the Cincinnati office has now told Congress that it was simply not possible for this abusive scheme to be launched by two rogue agents out of the Cincinnati office, as the IRS contends. "It's impossible," <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57587242/rep-issa-claims-irs-targeting-scandal-originated-in-d.c/" target="_blank">the employee explained</a>. "As an agent we are controlled by many, many people. We have to submit many, many reports. So the chance of two agents being rogue and doing things like that could never happen." As I told Martha MacCallum on America's Newsroom of FOX today, as we move forward with our <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/aclj-files-federal-lawsuit-against-irs-behalf-tea-party-groups" target="_blank">federal lawsuit</a> challenging the IRS, we know that this abuse is <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/white-house-claims-false-irs-targeting-ongoing" target="_blank">ongoing</a> and that many agents were involved - not only out of the Cincinnati office, but out of the national office in Washington, D.C. and out of two offices in California. Further, we have <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-letters-of-intimidation-to-tea-party-groups-from-lois-lerner-irs-director-exempt-organizations" target="_blank">letters</a> signed by Lois Lerner, Director of Exempt Organizations, who is now on paid administrative leave. She sent letters to 15 of our clients that included additional invasive and unconstitutional questions. We'll learn more this week as a number of Congressional hearings unfold about the IRS scandal. And let's not forget who President Obama has asked to investigate this abusive conduct inside the IRS: Attorney General Eric Holder. This Attorney General is now under <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2013/06/03/house-judiciary-chair-yes-were-investigating-holder-for-perjury/" target="_blank">investigation</a> by the House for perjury. Under oath, he said that he was not involved in the "potential prosecution of the press for the disclosure of material." Yet we learned that he personally signed off on search warrants for a Fox News reporter that called the reporter a possible “co-conspirator” in a leak case. And that’s merely his latest offense as Attorney General. He has stonewalled the Fast & Furious investigation, he’s been cited for contempt of Congress, and his Department of Justice has launched vast and intrusive investigations of members of the media. The Attorney General is supposed to be the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, yet he shows no respect for laws that apply to him. It's time for Eric Holder to go. Make your voice heard. <a href="http://aclj.org/us-constitution/demand-attorney-general-eric-holder-resignation" target="_blank">Sign on to our Petition for Attorney General Eric Holder's Resignation</a>. The American people deserve an Attorney General who upholds the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:01:00 GMT http://aclj.org/us-constitution/jay-sekulow-irs-scandal-expands-attorney-general-holder-must-go Fighting Back Against the Abusive, Partisan IRS For Americans across the country, the recent IRS scandal – complete with its tales of ideological targeting, disclosures of confidential information, and highly intrusive questioning – represents nothing short of a nightmare: a highly partisan, powerful, and unaccountable IRS using its immense reach to reward its friends and punish its enemies is antithetical to our democracy. More importantly, it’s antithetical to our Constitution. Wednesday, my colleagues and I at the ACLJ filed suit against the IRS and multiple government officials. We represent more than 20 conservative organizations that were targeted by the IRS, and our goals are simple: defend our clients’ constitutional rights and compensate them for the very real harm they’ve suffered. . . . <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/29/fighting-back-against-abusive-partisan-irs/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article on FoxNews.com</a>. Wed, 29 May 2013 18:44:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/fighting-back-against-the-abusive-partisan-irs Letters of Intimidation to Tea Party Groups from Lois Lerner - IRS Director of Exempt Organizations We now know that Lois Lerner, the Director of Exempt Organizations for the Internal Revenue Service - who refused to testify before a House committee by invoking the Fifth Amendment - has a paper trail that reveals her direct involvement in sending intrusive and harassing questionnaires to Tea Party groups in 2012. As you know, we represented 27 Tea Party organizations in 17 states. Of those, 15 received their tax-exempt status after lengthy delays, 10 are still pending, and two clients withdrew their applications because of frustration with the IRS process. Consider the timeline. We now know through her own <a href="http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-5-22-LernerResponse.pdf" target="_blank">testimony</a> and from the <a href="http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/auditreports/2013reports/201310053fr.pdf" target="_blank">Inspector General's report</a> that Lerner was briefed about this unlawful targeting scheme in June 2011. But nine months later, beginning in March 2012, she sent cover letters to many of our clients - demanding additional information and forwarding intrusive questionnaires. In fact, in March and April of 2012, Lerner sent 15 letters to 15 different clients (including those who were approved after lengthy delays and those who are still pending). This <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/lois-lerner-targeted-irs-inquiry-letter-3-16-2012.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a> dated March 16, 2012 sent to the Ohio Liberty Council is representative of the other letters that Lerner sent to our clients. This letter, posted <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/lois-lerner-targeted-irs-inquiry-letter-3-16-2012.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, was sent on letterhead out of the IRS office in Cincinnati. The cover letter bears Lerner's signature, who runs the Exempt Organizations division out of the Washington, DC office. It includes more invasive and improper questions about membership of the group and demands information about all public events conducted or planned for the future. And it specifically requested information about the organization's website, Facebook page, and other social media outlets. In testimony before a House committee yesterday, before invoking the Fifth Amendment, Lerner <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/darrell-issa-irs-lois-lerner-91755.html?hp=t3_3" target="_blank">proclaimed</a> her innocence. “I have not done anything wrong. I have not broken any laws. I have not violated any IRS rules or regulations, and I have not provided false information to this or any other committee.” After making that proclamation, she then refused to answer questions. No questions. Not one. Members of Congress and the American people want to know about her involvement and why this was permitted to continue. Now comes reports that Lerner has been placed on <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/node/349199" target="_blank">administrative leave</a> and that <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/23/republicans-may-call-back-irs-official-who-refused-to-testify/?test=latestnews" target="_blank">Representative Issa</a> plans to call her back before the House oversight committee. It's extremely troubling that it has taken this long for Lerner to be removed from the top exempt position at the IRS. Instead of being placed on administrative leave, she should have been fired.  We're encouraged by Representative Issa's decision to recall her before his committee. There are many questions that Lerner needs to answer - not the least of which is this one: Why did you send letters under your name to Tea Party organizations demanding additional intrusive information in March 2012 - nine months after you were told about this improper scheme and promised to correct it? The timing of her letters coincide with the appearance of former <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57584051/irs-targeted-tea-party-groups-earlier-than-2012/" target="_blank">IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman</a> before Congress in March 2012 who testified that no such targeting scheme existed. It appears Lerner did nothing to stop the abusive conduct. And our evidence suggests she was actively participating in the improper targeting in March 2012. In fact, she appears to have been quite active with her inquisition. In addition to the letter sent to the Ohio Liberty Council, our records indicate that Lerner sent 14 other letters to 14 of our clients in the March-April 2012 timeframe. It's unclear why her name appears on letters to some organizations, and not others. But one thing is clear: this correspondence shows her direct involvement in the scheme. Further, sending a letter from the top person in the IRS Exempt Organizations division to a small Tea Party group also underscores the intimidation used in this targeting ploy. This revelation comes just days after the White House firmly stated that the IRS misconduct ended in May 2012. That assertion is simply wrong. White House press secretary <a href="http://www.politico.com/politico44/2013/05/senior-wh-staff-knew-of-irs-investigation-did-not-164378.html" target="_blank">Jay Carney</a> told reporters: “The misconduct had stopped in May of 2012.” The fact is the abuse and harassment continued after May 2012. <a href="https://aclj.org/free-speech-2/aclj-white-house-wrong-on-the-facts-irs-abuse-ongoing-despite-assertion-misconduct-ended-one-year-ago" target="_blank">As we reported</a>, we received 26 IRS questionnaires sent to 18 clients during the past year – letters demanding further intrusive and intimidating questions. In fact, the most recent letter, posted <a href="http://cb77065856ad98547a59-759f611b127203e9f2a0021aa1b7da05.r65.cf2.rackcdn.com/pdf/linchpins-of-liberty-from-irs-full.pdf?reloadcache=true" target="_blank">here</a>, was dated May 6, 2013 - just four days before Lerner admitted to the targeting scheme. We are now finalizing our lawsuit against the IRS which will be filed next week in federal court in Washington, DC. We continue to add plaintiffs to this complaint. We truly believe that suing the IRS is the only way this unlawful abuse will stop and the only way we will find out the role of Lois Lerner and others in this widening scandal. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Thu, 23 May 2013 20:49:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-letters-of-intimidation-to-tea-party-groups-from-lois-lerner-irs-director-exempt-organizations IRS Testimony: Arrogant and Embarrassing - Federal Lawsuit to be filed Next Week Against IRS It was a very troubling hearing to watch. Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller, who is leaving his job about three weeks earlier than planned, appeared before the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/17/outgoing-irs-chief-faces-hearing-after-stunning-revelation-on-another-scandal/" target="_blank">House Ways and Means Committee</a> today to answer questions about the ever-expanding scandal at the IRS - the decision to target hundreds of conservative groups - unlawfully focusing on them because of their ideological beliefs. Miller had nothing to offer. Nothing to help shed light on this very intrusive intimidation scheme carried out by the agency. He repeatedly told lawmakers <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/us-usa-irs-idUSBRE94F10Y20130517" target="_blank">he had no names</a> of those responsible for this targeting campaign. His testimony was an embarrassment and underscores the kind of bureaucratic arrogance that does not sit well with the American people. By the way, his testimony came just one day after <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/charles-krauthammer-raises-watergate-91547.html?hp=r3" target="_blank">President Obama dodged a pointed question</a> about when the White House knew about this scandal. No direct answers from President Obama. No direct answers from the Acting IRS Commissioner. As I told Megyn Kelly on FOX News today, we are moving forward with our plans to file a federal lawsuit next week on behalf of a number of clients - a lawsuit challenging this scheme. We represent 27 Tea Party organizations with 10 organizations still facing investigation by a politically-motivated IRS. Further, IRS has refused to respond to a <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/letter-to-irs.pdf" target="_blank">demand letter</a> giving the agency until today to approve the tax-exempt status for the ACLJ's pending clients. The IRS has not only refused to respond and failed to approve the tax-exempt status of 10 of our clients, the agency is still targeting and harassing our clients. Even now, after the IRS admits that to this abhorrent conduct, they are still harassing our clients. Just days ago, one of our clients received a follow-up IRS questionnaire seeking more intrusive information. Unbelievable. As we continue to work on our complaint to be filed next week in federal court, one thing is clear. The lawsuit will name as defendants the Department of Treasury, the IRS, and government officials. It will focus on constitutional issues as well damages incurred by the organizations. We will represent a number of our clients, including groups that have received tax-exempt status and groups that are still pending. We also will represent new clients that have approached us since the IRS admitted to its intimidation strategy. In the <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/letter-to-irs.pdf" target="_blank">demand letter</a> sent to the IRS calling for the approval of the tax-exempt status of the 10 organizations by today or face legal action, the ACLJ also noted that the IRS not only violated its own rules and regulations but "failed miserably" – noting that the "growing mistrust of the IRS is the inevitable (and totally understandable) result of its unwise actions." Today, we also provided written testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee, which is posted <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/jay-sekulow-irs-testimony.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. We informed members of Congress about the specifics concerning the harassment and abuse aimed at our clients. And, we were clear to let lawmakers know that this is still happening. “The IRS, as well as this Administration, needs to understand that all Americans are now aware of this unconstitutional targeting of American’s First Amendment rights and demand that it cease immediately,” <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/jay-sekulow-irs-testimony.pdf" target="_blank">our letter asserts.</a> “Only transparency and accountability to the Congress and the American public will root out corruption in the IRS.” Of the organizations we currently represent, 15 have received tax-exempt status. Ten are still pending and facing continued harassment, many of those applications on-hold for several years. But the same IRS that's holding up approval for our clients, reacted quickly and gave speedy approval to other organizations, including the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/irs-stalled-conservative-groups-but-gave-speedy-approval-to-obama-foundation/2013/05/16/90c53e8a-be57-11e2-89c9-3be8095fe767_story.html" target="_blank">Barack H. Obama Foundation</a>. Despite the assertion by the IRS that this scheme originated with a couple of rogue agents out of the <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-cincinnati-oh-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Cincinnati</a> office, the fact is that the ACLJ’s clients have received letters from Cincinnati, but also from two offices in California, <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-el-monte-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">El Monte</a> and <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-laguna-niguel-office-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Laguna Niguel</a> as well as the national office in <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-washington-dc-office-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Washington, D.C. </a>In fact, the Washington office sent a letter to one of our clients as recently as <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/albuquerque-tea-party-letter-from-irs.pdf" target="_blank">one month ago</a>. More to come. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Fri, 17 May 2013 19:23:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-irs-testimony-arrogant-and-embarrassing-federal-lawsuit-to-be-filed-next-week-against-irs IRS Scandal: Time for Independent Counsel President Obama continues to fail to show leadership as this IRS scandal continues to expand. The resignation of acting IRS Commissioner Steve Miller does not solve any of the problems of this tainted and politically-driven agency. The announcement comes just hours after the IRS attempted to blame this abhorrent conduct on a couple of rogue IRS agents out of the Cincinnati office. The American people and our clients deserve much more. There are many questions that President Obama failed to address including why his Attorney General is heading up this investigation. The fact is an independent counsel needs to be appointed - with no ties or allegiance to this President. The IRS scheme to target conservative groups because of their thoughts and ideological positions is both unconscionable and intolerable. It is also actionable. We continue to move forward in preparing a federal lawsuit on behalf of our clients - a complaint that could be filed as early as next week. Wed, 15 May 2013 22:50:14 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/irs-scandal-time-independent-counsel The Puzzling, Intrusive Questions the IRS Asked Conservative Groups We Represent Lois Lerner is the director of the exempt organizations division at the IRS. Friday, she dropped a bombshell when she told reporters, that “absolutely inappropriate” actions were undertaken by “front-line people” located in Cincinnati who went rogue and searched out groups with “Tea Party” and “Patriot” in their tax exemption applications and then put those groups through a special, intrusive process. Now we have learned that Lerner knew about the targeting as early as 2011. But Congress and the America public didn’t know until just before the weekend. We also learned more from a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/Appendix%20VI%20and%20Appendix%20VII.PDF" rel="external ext-linked" target="_blank">draft of the Inspector General’s report</a> that was released in the media over the weekend. The draft provides a comprehensive timeline for the IRS scandal. . . . <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/14/puzzling-intrusive-questions-irs-asked-conservative-groups-represent/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article on FoxNews.com</a>. Tue, 14 May 2013 20:08:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/puzzling-intrusive-questions-irs-asked-conservative-groups Washington D.C. IRS Office Continued Targeting Conservative Groups Last Month The IRS’s spin continues to collapse.  First they claimed the decision to target conservative groups came from low-level employees in one office.  But yesterday we <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/multiple-irs-offices-cincinnati-sent-inquiry-demands-targeted-tea-party-groups" target="_blank">released documents</a> proving that IRS inquiries came from offices in California (<a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-laguna-niguel-office-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Laguna Niguel</a> and <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-el-monte-ca-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">El Monte</a>), <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-cincinnati-oh-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Ohio</a>, and <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/irs-letter-from-washington-dc-office-unredacted.pdf" target="_blank">Washington, D.C.</a> But it gets worse.  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/13/irs-tea-party-media_n_3269698.html?1368502179" target="_blank">The IRS also claims it abandoned the probes</a>, but the abuse is ongoing.  <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/albuquerque-tea-party-letter-from-irs.pdf" target="_blank">This letter</a> arrived last month, from a “tax law specialist” in D.C. regarding an Albuquerque tea party group we represent.  Aside from the continued targeting the letter is noteworthy for a number of other reasons.  First, the secrecy of the deliberations is troubling.  The tax law specialist indicates that she has a recommendation, but won’t say what it is – stating that it’s not “policy” to do so.  Second, the IRS won’t give any timetable for a decision, leaving the group in limbo since – in this case – 2011.  In fact, the group submitted its responses to the IRS’s voluminous document requests more than a year ago, in January 2012, and this was the first IRS response. Continued targeting, intolerable delays, and unacceptable secrecy – the IRS has not learned its lesson. Tue, 14 May 2013 17:56:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/washington-dc-irs-office-continued-targeting-conservative-groups-last-month IRS Admits to What We Already Knew: Tea Party Groups Inappropriately Singled-Out for Special Review What the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) did to Tea Party groups is simply outrageous. We've been battling the IRS for more than a year now, defending nearly 30 Tea Party organizations across the country - organizations that were targeted by the IRS because of their conservative views. What's outrageous is that the IRS demanded that groups reveal the internal workings of their organizations - including the identification of members, how they are selected, who they associate with, and even what they discuss. A sample of some of the questions are posted <a href="http://c0391070.cdn2.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/pdf/irs-questions-aclj-tea-party-clients.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. They are clearly outside the scope of legitimate inquiry and violate the First Amendment. A year ago, the IRS denied that there was any practice like this in place. Now, a different story. Today we learn that that a <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/irs-apologizes-targeting-conservative-groups" target="_blank">top IRS official</a> who oversees tax-exempt groups admits that the IRS inappropriately focused on groups that included the words "tea party" or "patriot" in their applications for tax-exempt status, singling them out for additional reviews. The IRS issued an apology and said the practice should not have occurred. The IRS is trying to explain this away by blaming "low-level" IRS employees out of an office in Cincinnati. Ridiculous. I served as a trial lawyer with the Office of the Chief Counsel for the IRS earlier in my career and I know that's not the way it works. This intimidation strategy had to have the approval of IRS superiors and it was not just confined to a small office in Ohio. As I told Megyn Kelly on FOX News today, we are handling 27 cases from 17 different states. To date, 15 groups have been granted tax-exempt status by the IRS, the others are pending and no organization has been denied. We are demanding that the IRS immediately approve the pending applications for the remainder of our clients. What really needs to happen is Congressional oversight and an inquiry to find out how this happened, the extent that it occurred, and the reasons behind it. This targeting occurred in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election. We have heard from <a href="http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/defend-tea-party-stop-irs-silencing-free-speech" target="_blank">more than 50,000 Americans</a> who understand that the IRS needs Congressional oversight. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman <a href="http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/darrell-issa-accuses-irs-of-political-retaliation-unconscionable" target="_blank">Darrell Issa</a> calls the IRS actions "unconscionable." And in the Senate, Minority Leader <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/irs-apologizes-targeting-conservative-groups" target="_blank">Mitch McConnell</a> wants to investigate what he called the "thuggish" practices used by the IRS. Today's IRS admission is a significant victory for free speech and free association, but really is just the beginning to get to the bottom of what happened inside the IRS and why. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Fri, 10 May 2013 19:03:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/jay-sekulow-irs-admits-tea-party-groups-inappropriately-singled-out-for-special-review Religious Freedom Not Served by Bigot Consulting for the Pentagon Should our military consult with white supremacist groups when revising policies against racial discrimination? Should it call the Westboro Baptist Church as it deals with the repercussions of repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"? Or should it bring in Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones to consult as it continues its outreach to the Muslim world? Obviously not. And if generals of any branch of the military met with these groups, we’d question their good faith and their understanding of the law. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/06/religious-freedom-not-served-by-bigot-consulting-for-pentagon/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article on FoxNews.com.</a> Mon, 06 May 2013 21:33:00 GMT http://aclj.org/free-speech-2/religious-freedom-not-served-bigot-consulting-pentagon Holder's Fundamental Mistake in Boston Bombing Case It is extremely troubling that after only 16 hours, a federal magistrate entered the hospital room where Boston bomber suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was being questioned by the FBI - and to the shock of federal investigators - was read his Miranda rights, lawyered up, and promptly quit talking. <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Holder-Defends-Mirandizing-Suspect/2013/04/27/id/501655" target="_blank">U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder</a> told reporters over the weekend that "the decision to Mirandize was one that the magistrate made" and added that "everything was done appropriately." Here's the problem. Why the rush to file charges in the first place? Holder refused to declare Tsarnaev an 'enemy combatant' which would have provided authorities with a lawful avenue to continue to question him - to gather much-needed intelligence about this terrorist attack. He would still face justice in federal court, but the U.S. would have had the time it needs to get the information and intelligence that is so critical in understanding exactly what happened at the Boston Marathon.   But, no, the Attorney General gave the OK to file charges, and after just 16 hours, the suspect was Mirandized and that was that. No more talking. No more intelligence. A vital investigative tactic shut down. As I told Megyn Kelly today on FOX News, the problem is that the Attorney General made a fundamental mistake in the prosecution of this case by rushing in and filing charges before federal investigators got the intelligence they needed. Instead of expressing concern about that aspect of the case, the <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2013/04/holder-warns-against-boston-bombing-backlash-162855.html" target="_blank">Attorney General</a> today felt compelled to remind Americans that the Justice Department is "committed to protecting innocent people against misguided acts of retaliation." No one has a problem with reminding people that we must not allow any group to be stigmatized or alienated. But the fact is at this point in the Boston bombing case, the Attorney General should spend more time determining the cause of the intelligence failures in this case, going after the terrorists responsible, and securing vital information needed to keep America safe. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow" target="_blank">Jay Sekulow</a>   Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:28:00 GMT http://aclj.org/war-on-terror/jay-sekulow-eric-holder-fundamental-mistake-in-boston-bombing-case Boston Marathon Bombing Lesson – Political Correctness Kills America is facing a jihadist enemy. It is an enemy that has proven it can inflict more civilian casualties on the United States than any other foreign enemy in almost 200 years. Just last week this enemy killed 3 innocent people, wounded more than 100 and paralyzed a major American city. Yet, our obsession with political correctness, with a strong desire not to offend our enemies makes our self-defense immeasurably more difficult. The evil nature and intentions of our jihadist enemies are already clear. They hate us enough to pack pressure cookers with ball bearings, to hijack airliners and turn them into weapons of mass destruction, to wear underwear bombs, shoe bombs, and any other kind of bomb they can smuggle onto aircraft. . . . <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/04/23/boston-marathon-bombing-lesson-political-correctness-kills/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article, by ACLJ Chief Cousel Jay Sekulow, on FoxNews.com</a>. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:08:58 GMT http://aclj.org/war-on-terror/boston-marathon-bombing-lesson-political-correctness-kills Thoughts on Boston – A Day of Terror, a Day of Courage As we mourn those who died yesterday and pray for those who are now battling through horrific injuries, I am thankful that we serve a God who is righteous and merciful.  It is part of God’s great mercy that on a day where we were reminded once again that evil is all too real and present, we were reminded even more that this nation is still full of men and women who demonstrate courage and compassion in the face of danger.  By all accounts, the first responders, bystanders, and even uninjured runners responded immediately to the bomb blasts, with the first responders doing what they do best – run straight into harm’s way to deliver aid.  Some runners ran immediately to hospitals, moments after finishing a 26-mile race, to give blood to help save the injured. Boston medical professionals responded magnificently.  Press reports described hospitals that responded with calm and competence to an unexpected mass casualty event.  None were overwhelmed.  All gave outstanding care.  Other countries struggle to respond to violent attacks, but the people of Boston rose to the occasion.  They deserve our praise. Today, as I pray for the victims, I also pray that evil will be defeated and deterred by a response that is as swift and decisive as possible.  I am reminded of the <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/92-11.htm" target="_blank">words of the psalmist</a>: My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;     my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NIV" target="_blank">And for those who are suffering</a>: Blessed are those who mourn,     for they will be comforted. May God bless the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.  May God help us find those responsible for this horrific attack. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:59:11 GMT http://aclj.org/war-on-terror/thoughts-on-boston-day-of-terror-day-courage Angry Atheists, History and America's Future Millions of Americans know the story of the <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-09-08/politics/35418445_1_frank-silecchia-crane-operators-ground-zero" rel="external ext-linked" target="_blank">Ground Zero Cross</a>, the twisted steel beams that fell from the wreckage of the World Trade Center on 9/11, beams in the shape of a cross.  Fewer, however, know that this cross is now at a different “Ground Zero” – Ground Zero of an atheist attack on our religious past, and our religious future. Found by excavator Frank Silecchia and consecrated by Father Brian Jordan, a Franciscan Priest, it grew to become a symbol of hope and comfort in a very dark place and in a very dark time.  The Washington Post <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-09-08/politics/35418445_1_frank-silecchia-crane-operators-ground-zero" rel="external ext-linked" target="_blank">explained</a>: "Each week, Father Brian held services there. He became the chaplain of the hard hats. Whenever crews working to find the dead needed a blessing or a prayer or absolution, Father Brian would offer it. Sometimes victims’ families came to pray. The congregations grew from 25 or 35 to 200 and 300. "Men cut replicas of the cross out of ruined steel and carried them in their pockets. Even Rich Sheirer, then New York’s director of the Office of Emergency Management [and Jewish], appreciated the cross. “Intellectually, you knew it’s just two pieces of steel, but you saw the impact it had on so many people, and you also knew it was more than steel,” he says.". . . <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/04/08/angry-atheists-history-and-america-future/" target="_blank">Continue reading this article written by ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow on FoxNews.com</a>. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:55:00 GMT http://aclj.org/american-heritage/angry-atheists-history-america-future Easter Prayers for Pastor Saeed Many of us will gather this weekend with family and friends to celebrate Easter - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For me and my family, we also celebrate Passover - God's deliverance of the Jewish people from the bondage of slavery under Egypt's Pharaohs. During this important time, I want to ask you to pause for a moment and reflect on the freedoms each one of us possess in America - freedom to celebrate Easter - to celebrate Passover - the freedom to express our faith - without fear - without threats - without imprisonment. It's easy to take our freedoms for granted. Especially our freedom to pray - to share our Christian faith with others. This Easter, American Pastor Saeed Abedini remains in an Iranian prison - simply because he is a Christian. As you know, he continues to suffer <a href="http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeed-after-beatings-torture-did-not-recognize-myself">beatings and torture</a> at the hands of his captors in one of Iran's most dangerous prisons. Today, I re-read a <a href="http://aclj.org/iran/pastor-saeed-writes-psychological-warfare-physical-violence-death-threats-iranian-prison">letter</a> that Pastor Saeed sent to his family in February. And I was reminded that this U.S. citizen - who is entitled to religious freedom - even by one of the world's most brutal regimes - sets a powerful example for each one of us. His faith is strong, unwavering - despite the life-threatening abuse he continues to receive in Evin Prison. <blockquote> "They are trying to put me under such horrific pressures (that are sometimes unbearable) so that they can show me that my faith is empty and not real," Pastor Saeed wrote.  "And after all of these pressures, after all of the nails they have pressed against my hands and feet, they are only waiting for one thing…for me to deny Christ. But they will never get this from me." </blockquote> Incredible courage and spiritual strength. This Easter, as we continue to work to secure his freedom, please keep Pastor Saeed and his family in your prayers. On behalf of everyone at the ACLJ and our international affiliates, I want to express to you and your family our heartfelt gratitude for your support and wish you and yours a very blessed Easter. <a href="https://twitter.com/JaySekulow">Jay Sekulow</a> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:19:36 GMT http://aclj.org/iran/easter-prayers-for-pastor-saeed