IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley and Special Agent Joseph Ziegler thanked Reps. James Comer (R-KY) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the invitation and for the lawmakers’ “steadfast support and recognition” of their sacrifices.

“We look forward to continuing to work with them and the Administration toward justice for whistleblowers like us and accountability for the retaliators, both of which are long overdue,” Shapley and Ziegler said in a statement.

The pair, who investigate tax crimes for the IRS, approached Congress in 2023 with allegations that the IRS and the Department of Justice Tax Division were slow-walking a yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden to protect Joe Biden.

Comer, Jordan, and other lawmakers interviewed Shapley and Ziegler and were able to glean a wealth information from them about the federal inquiry into the first son. The IRS officials were a boon to the impeachment inquiry, showcasing Joe Biden’s son’s tax crimes long before the younger Biden was ever indicted. Hunter Biden eventually pleaded guilty to nine tax charges but received a controversial pardon from his father before his sentencing.

Shapley’s and Ziegler’s lawyers have said the pair have faced significant retaliation internally at the IRS, including by being passed up for promotions.

“Their work life has completely changed. … They have to watch their back every day,” Jason Foster, one of the lawyers who has worked with them, told the Washington Examiner.

IRS WHISTLEBLOWERS RESPOND TO HUNTER BIDEN PARDON

Foster works at Empower Oversight, a legal group that advocates whistleblowers. Empower Oversight recently filed a complaint with the Merit Systems Protection Board detailing at least four instances of alleged retaliation and seeking corrective actions.

Shapley and Ziegler continue to work under the same leaders who they say have retaliated against them while Trump’s IRS commissioner nominee, former congressman Billy Long of Missouri, awaits his Senate confirmation.

In a statement, Comer and Jordan applauded Shapley and Ziegler “for doing the right thing.”

“We will continue to stand with these brave whistleblowers and are proud to welcome and honor Gary and Joe as our guests at President Trump’s address before a joint session of Congress,” they said.