Trump is looking to use the IRS for his own political ends. Nixon tried it too
Trump is looking to use the IRS for his own political ends. Nixon tried it too  
Podcast: Trump's Terms
Published On: Mon May 12 2025
Description: From utilizing tax data to trace immigrants without legal status to threatening Harvard University's tax exemption, President Trump has been trying to use the IRS for his own political purposes, in ways that may seem unprecedented.But they're not. Former President Richard Nixon laid the groundwork more than four decades ago, when he tried to use the tax collector to punish his enemies and assist his friends, as NPR's Scott Horsley reports.Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy