President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that his administration is considering deploying nearly 90,000 newly hired Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents to the U.S.-Mexico border, marking a major shift in federal resources to address immigration challenges.
Speaking to supporters at the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Trump criticized the controversial IRS expansion, funded by $72 billion under the Inflation Reduction Act, and suggested repurposing the agents to enhance border security.
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“They hired, or tried to hire, 88,000 workers to go after you, and we’re in the process of developing a plan to either terminate all of them, or maybe we’ll move them to the border,” Trump said. “I think we’re going to move them to the border where they are allowed to carry guns. You know, they’re so strong on guns. But these people are allowed to carry guns. So we will probably move them to the border.”
The proposal comes days after Trump signed an executive order implementing a 90-day hiring freeze across most federal agencies, excluding those related to national security, public safety, and military operations. The IRS, in particular, will not be allowed to hire additional agents during this period, as the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reviews staffing needs.
In addition to the hiring freeze, Trump recently declared a national emergency at the southern border, directing his administration to prioritize border security through resource reallocation and potential repurposing of federal employees.
Beyond border security, Trump outlined sweeping economic reforms during his speech, including plans to introduce tariffs on countries that fail to cooperate with U.S. immigration initiatives. Starting February 1, nations such as Mexico and Canada could face a 25% tariff if they do not align with U.S. border policies.
The president also proposed a blanket 10% to 20% tariff on all foreign imports and a potential 60% tariff on Chinese goods, asserting that such measures would generate significant revenue to replace traditional taxation.
“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” Trump said. “Massive amounts of money will pour into our Treasury – coming from foreign sources. The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before.”
While Trump’s proposal to relocate IRS agents to the border has been met with support from his base, critics argue that such measures could undermine the tax agency’s core functions and create logistical challenges. However, Trump’s supporters see the move as a bold step to curb illegal immigration and strengthen national security.
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The Independent Women’s Forum, a conservative advocacy group, praised the president’s actions, calling them a necessary step to protect American jobs and resources. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the move as “a dangerous overreach of executive power.”
As the Trump administration continues to push its border security and economic agenda, the proposed reassignment of IRS agents is likely to face legal and logistical scrutiny. The administration has indicated that further details on the implementation plan will be released in the coming weeks.
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