In a bizarre and unexpected turn of events, an IRS official was recently caught on camera fleeing from journalist James O’Keefe after being confronted with undercover footage of statements he made to an O’Keefe Media Group journalist.
The incident occurred in New York City and lasted for over a mile as the official attempted to evade O’Keefe and his team.
IRS Official Alex Mena SPRINTS a mile down 7th avenue in NYC after O’Keefe shows footage of him calling the IRS AI programs 'unconstitutional’
Mena then attempted to hide by standing in a shadowy doorway on Commerce Street, before O’Keefe found him and Mena began running again.… pic.twitter.com/ZcXmWBpxwn
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) February 26, 2024
The undercover footage in question revealed the IRS official making controversial statements about the agency’s use of artificial intelligence to spy on American citizens and businesses without a warrant.
The official also mentioned that the IRS is “going after the small people” and “destroying people’s lives,” and that all of the agents are “like robots.”
BEHIND THE SCENES: Driving home to NJ after chasing an IRS Criminal Investigator in NYC
“The restaurant owner tried kicking us out. We ran a 7 minute mile in penny loafers. We had dogs, red lights, people recognizing us, cursing us off…” pic.twitter.com/oglzdd3Hrf
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) February 27, 2024
When confronted with the footage, the IRS official initially denied his identity and then proceeded to flee on foot. O’Keefe and his team chased the official for over a mile through the streets of New York City, with the official attempting to hide in a shadowy doorway on Commerce Street before being found and continuing to run.
The incident has sparked a range of reactions from the public, with some questioning the IRS official’s actions and others expressing concern over the agency’s use of AI to spy on American citizens. The IRS has yet to release a statement regarding the incident, and it remains to be seen what, if any, consequences the official will face for his actions.
