Top US tax lawyer forced out after White House clash over tax audits

Ken Kies, the IRS acting chief counsel, was forced out after refusing White House requests to intervene in specific tax audits, saying such orders would violate laws protecting audits from political influence.
Kies — a former Trump tax lawyer who said he recused himself — also clashed with the administration over tax policy and refused work tied to a controversial Justice Department settlement involving Trump.
He’s expected to leave in mid‑August, and Trump has nominated another former Trump tax attorney, Jim Gadwood, to replace him, prompting fresh talk about political influence at the IRS.