A group of climate activists briefly interrupted proceedings at the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday, just prior to a House Oversight Committee hearing focused on testimony from IRS whistleblowers. The demonstration involved slightly over a dozen individuals, clad in shirts proclaiming "End fossil fuels, Biden," who marched through the hallway outside the hearing room, chanting slogans and raising their fists. They also carried a large banner echoing the same message.
Capitol Police intervened, placing the protesters in restraints and escorting them from the building. The disruption occurred as the House Oversight Committee prepared to hear testimony from IRS whistleblowers alleging preferential treatment and obstruction in the federal investigation into Hunter Biden.
One of the whistleblowers, IRS special agent Joseph Ziegler, publicly revealed his identity during the hearing. A self-described gay Democrat, Ziegler has served in the agency's criminal investigative division for over 13 years. He testified alongside his supervisor, Gary Shapley, who has also raised concerns about political influence in the Hunter Biden probe.
Ziegler's testimony centered on his belief that Hunter Biden should have faced felony tax charges, rather than just a misdemeanor. He also suggested that certain communications and text messages reviewed by investigators might contradict President Biden's claims of non-involvement in his son's business dealings. Ziegler further alleged instances of deviation from standard investigative procedures, including slow-walking the investigation and placing unnecessary roadblocks, such as preventing the questioning of Hunter Biden's adult children.
