From a letter sent by Lerner’s defense attorney William Taylor III to Rep. Darrell Issa, via the Los Angeles Times:

“She has not committed any crime or made any misrepresentation but under the circumstances she has no choice but to take this course,” said a letter by Taylor to committee Chairman Darrell E. Issa, R-Calif.

Yeah. Given the growing sinkhole that is the IRS scandal, we’re sure she’s got nothing to hide.

https://twitter.com/politicalmath/status/336926439385493504

https://twitter.com/ShannonPoe/status/336933193896820737

https://twitter.com/jimgeraghty/status/336927326136856578

https://twitter.com/jaseliberty/status/336932366461329409

https://twitter.com/DarlaK2011/status/336931469660409857

https://twitter.com/hale_razor/status/336929545053679617

https://twitter.com/GaltsGirl/status/336929364694417408

Isn’t the Constitution great?

https://twitter.com/LloydChristmis/status/336933497430216704

https://twitter.com/MforestB/status/336929422781337600

That’s a pretty neat trick. Wish we could try it.

https://twitter.com/JonahNRO/status/336932347092025344

https://twitter.com/RBPundit/status/336934861728256000

Sure doesn’t seem fair, does it?

 The officials say they have enough evidence to justify seizing them by military force as suspected terrorists — but not enough proof to try them in a U.S. civilian court as the Obama administration prefers.

If this is true, it’s pretty devastating.

Holy crap. This AP piece suggests the Benghazi terrorists are walking free because Obama wont seize them militarily bit.ly/13IPqzD—
Stephen Gutowski (@collegepolitico) May 21, 2013

***

Editor’s note: The title has been changed for clarity.

Former IRS Commissioner Shulman says he knew in "spring 2012" that a "list" was being used that included the word "tea party."—
Chris Moody (@Chris_Moody) May 21, 2013

"It was obvious to me, when I heard it, that something didn't sound right, when I heard there was a list"-Ex-IRS Commish Shulman #IRShearing—
  (@sallykidd) May 21, 2013

Shulmer knew Tea Party was on the list, had knowledge of the BOLO list. Did nothing. Said Miller told him it had been stopped. #IRS—
drdr jojo (@drdrjojo) May 21, 2013

What did he do? Nothing.

Former #IRS Commish Shulman: " I knew there was a list. I knew the word Tea Party was on the list. I don't know…I don't know…"—
Paula Bolyard (@pbolyard) May 21, 2013

He echoed Attorney General Holder; He also knows nuthin’, baby!

Cornyn: "The buck doesn't stop w/ you?" Shulman: "I certainly am not personally responsible for… list that had inappropriate criteria."—
Ali Weinberg (@AliNBCNews) May 21, 2013

The buck stops over there somewhere.

Twitter users noticed a little something else: Flop sweat.

Shulman admits was a #BOLO list, but didn't follow up, doesn't know who might have been advised in Justice, dissolves into flop sweat. #IRS—
di butler (@dibutler) May 21, 2013

Shulman is breaking out in a greasy face sweat #IRSHearing admitting he knew #BOLO list and did nothing #tcot—
  (@BossyMother) May 21, 2013

IRS Shulman & Miller beginning to sweat – good job Portman. So are the American taxpayer & healthcare user.—
Conservative Kay (@Conservativekay) May 21, 2013

Related:

Cry him a river: Steven Miller says IRS’ sullied reputation breaks his heart

‘Tea Party is alive and pissed’: Patriots protest at IRS offices across the country [pics]

Oops: IRS’ Miller denies, then admits that IRS’ actions motivated by partisanship 

Busted: IRS chief admits it was his ‘incredibly bad idea’ to plant question that led to IRS ‘apology’

Woah – Carney compares IRS questions to birth certificate inquiries.—
Reid J. Epstein (@reidepstein) May 21, 2013

What the hell? RT @reidepstein: Woah – Carney compares IRS questions to birth certificate inquiries—
Michele Frost (@michelelfrost) May 21, 2013

So confused. Carney goes from IRS to President's birth certificate…—
Stephanie Jaczkowski (@StephJacz) May 21, 2013

That’s right. Clown Carney made the shark-jumping leap from questions about various Obama administration scandals to … birthers.

RT @DougHeye Video of Carney comparing IRS questions to birth certificate nonsense – youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJY… …—
Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) May 21, 2013

Heh.

Press has serious questions about #IRS #BENGHAZI #AP, and Carney compares to questions about Obama's birth certificate. Typical dodging.—
Adam Gladhill (@adamgladhill) May 21, 2013

Carney just compared reporter's q about Sebelius fundraising at HHS to conspiracy theorists asking for Obama's birth certificate. Really?—
Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) May 21, 2013

Citizens are rightly disgusted.

Uh RT @TeriChristoph: RT @reidepstein: Woah – Carney compares IRS questions to birth certificate inquiries.—
Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) May 21, 2013

Desperation RT @IsaacDovere: Jay Carney compares questions about the current slate of scandals to the search for the Obama birth certificate—
Andy Lancaster (@andylancaster) May 21, 2013

I can not believe what Jay Carney is spewing righ now! WOW, the Birth Certificate? How Alinsky can you get!—
Elaine (@equaltreatment) May 21, 2013

Wow. Tone deaf. Paging McCurry stat! RT@reidepstein: Woah – Carney compares IRS questions to birth certificate inquiries.—
Rob Stutzman (@RobStutzman) May 21, 2013

.@PressSec Throwing the birth cert. controversy in with on-going scandals, was just, low, cheap, immature and plain stupid.—
Leah Shannon (@leehaha62) May 21, 2013

It does further expose something, though.

First real sign this is a SERIOUS problem for the WH MT @reidepstein Whoa: Carney compares IRS questions to birth certificate inquiries—
James Poulos (@jamespoulos) May 21, 2013

Bingo.

Running scared … straight into idiocy.

And the hate keeps on comin’.

Following Monday’s deadly tornado in Oklahoma, Choudary called the devastation “a lesson for Americans.” (Editor’s note: The account is not verified, but has been reported as authentic.)

Operation Oklahoma should be a lesson for Americans. That is the response from Allah to the supplications of Muslims being oppressed by them—
Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 21, 2013

But it didn’t stop there. He continued to spew his vile brand of hate.

Tornados, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes are the soldiers of Allah (SWT) which he will unleash against whom he wishes! May Allah protect us—
Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 21, 2013

Maybe if Obama stopped murdering 1000's of Muslims by drones, Allah would spare the US from so much devastation. This is the divine formula!—
Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 21, 2013

I wonder why there are so many hurricanes, tornados, bush fires etc in America? I wonder what the link is with their oppression of Muslims!?—
Anjem Choudary (@anjemchoudary) May 21, 2013

At least 24 people died, including seven children, and this gutter tramp is doing a happy dance in the name of Allah.

.@anjemchoudary you are a despicable excuse for a human being.—
  (@Hecate40) May 21, 2013

.@anjemchoudary @jihadwatchRS & thus weighs in another branch of westboro cult??—
Occupy Bawl Street (@OccupyBawlStree) May 21, 2013

@anjemchoudary you are a sick man—
TonyG (@WATPibrox) May 21, 2013

@anjemchoudary You piss me off so much!!!! Innocent children getting hurt is not the reciprocation of Allah how can you possibly say that!!!—
Toni Leah Lewis (@ToniLew_) May 21, 2013

Anjem Choudary is such a seventh century throwback shit-for-brains that I can't work out which account is the parody.—
Julius Mandrake (@juliusmandrake) May 21, 2013

@anjemchoudary Ha ha you must have broken Allah's orders not to imbibe. How come Allah's response also 2010 floods in Pakistan @jihadwatchRS—
Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) May 21, 2013

@anjemchoudary only reason you are on twitter spilling your filth is because someone from the west created twitter.—
The Wagon (@PhillyWCWagon) May 21, 2013

Anjem Choudary is beyond contempt—
Jon Ivins (@JonRIvins) May 21, 2013

Atrocious.

(Hat tip: Raphael Gluck — follow him on Twitter!)

Testifying today before the Senate Finance Committee, outgoing IRS commissioner Steven Miller confessed that he’s just heartbroken now that the public’s perception of his agency has been tarnished:

Outgoing IRS Commissioner Steven Miller: "It breaks my heart because I've spent 25 years trying to protect the service." #IRS—
Emma Roller (@emmaroller) May 21, 2013

Twenty-five years, huh? And what’s he got to show for it?

Miller: 'It breaks my heart, because I've spent 25 years trying to protect the service.' Which is usually how institutions get into trouble.—
Melinda Henneberger (@MelindaDC) May 21, 2013

Unfairly putting conservatives in your crosshairs will have an effect on your reputation. Forgive us, Mr. Miller, if we don’t have any tears to cry for you.

Patronizing MT ‏@michellemalkin
Cue world's smallest violin: #IRS jerk Miller "breaks my heart" that agency is besmirched. @SenateFinance—
Cheryl Stack (@stacker44022) May 21, 2013

Miller "it breaks my heart", oh look ..his lips are moving, he must be lying.—
elizabethHowell (@ruffsimi_howell) May 21, 2013

***

Related:

We’re gonna need a bigger budget: Steven Miller’s brilliant solution to IRS corruption

Busted: IRS chief admits it was his ‘incredibly bad idea’ to plant question that led to IRS ‘apology’

Oops: IRS’ Miller denies, then admits that IRS’ actions motivated by partisanship 

Patriots across the land are protesting the IRS and its chilling abuse of power.

Locations for Tea Party protest of IRS’ abuse of power. Tuesday, May 21, at noon local time. teapartypatriots.org/irs-office-loc…—
Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) May 20, 2013

Via @matthewhurtt – IRS protest in Washington D.C. at noon – info here: facebook.com/events/4461764…—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

@TheFix, have ya seen the press release regarding today's IRS protest? scribd.com/doc/142770353/…—
Matthew Hurtt (@matthewhurtt) May 21, 2013

A local organizer, Matthew Hurtt, has more from the press release:

The Tea Party Patriots, the nation’s largest tea party organization, announced a series of protests across the country, which will take place at local IRS offices today at noon local time. The protests are in response to the IRS’s admission that the agency has engaged in systemic harassment and targeting of conservative organizations. For the past three years, the IRS has targeted Tea Party Patriots and other conservative tax-exempt organizations for additional scrutiny, and has singled these organizations out for audits and invasive reviews of their tax-exempt applications.

Haters gotta hate.

Retirees hold signs in front of IRS building #faux outrage #teabaggers #tampa #astroturf http://t.co/x5TVWR3qIF”—
Stephen Ogborn (@stephenogborn) May 21, 2013

The old “rich men who like Chick-fil-A” line, huh? Taking a page right from WaPo’s book! Targeting of people by the IRS is totally fine, if they are icky old “teabaggers,” natch.

Matthew Hurtt and other Twitter users provide more pictures from on-the-scene in Washington, D.C.

The corner of 10th & PA Ave is packed with #IRS protestors: http://t.co/yRmorrXCFt—
Matthew Hurtt (@matthewhurtt) May 21, 2013

#Creepertarian shot of @KennedyNation at the #IRS protest: http://t.co/ZI6XkmbqqP—
Matthew Hurtt (@matthewhurtt) May 21, 2013

@AndreaTantaros just in – patriots outside the DC #IRS office! #dontbackdown #teaparty http://t.co/gZRNLlsiO8—
Keli Carender (@LiberTBelle) May 21, 2013

Protesting outside the IRS Building. #IRS #GovernmentOverstep http://t.co/FZFEeMo2g4—
Andrew Ransom (@Andrew_Ransom) May 21, 2013

In DC @kerpen Protesting #irs today http://t.co/0W6GbYslfa—
Jenny Beth Martin (@jennybethm) May 21, 2013

Patriots are protesting at other local offices as well.

@NolteNC @skiplacombe Thousands protesting IRS at STL federal courthouse buses everywhere http://t.co/Rt9zhKnL2Q—
Jackie (@jackieprints) May 21, 2013

IRS protest in Evansville, IN http://t.co/pJCgiOs9ia—
Cindy LaMar (@CindyLaMar) May 21, 2013

It's a beautiful day to protest IRS abuses of power. 11:30 am-1:30 pm, 801 Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana. #tcot #ccot http://t.co/MZrC0zgYh5—
Deborah Pauly (@YnotDebPauly) May 21, 2013

Bam! And we aren’t going to take it anymore.

Tea Party gathering ifo IRS office in Miami http://t.co/gPCdElJbvY—
Mai Ganuza (@Goonzbymarriage) May 21, 2013

Tea Party rally outside Boston IRS building. "Don't tread on me." http://t.co/Nlmiyp4Pwb—
Steve Annear (@steveannear) May 21, 2013

Georgia’s Governor Deal joins the protest in Atlanta.

Gov Nathan Deal joins Tea Party Patriots to protest the IRS #gagop gapol #IRSSCANDAL http://t.co/McG3CHFe45—
Lori Geary (@lorigeary) May 21, 2013

Large Crowds in Atlanta. Watch the Cincinnati Rein in the #IRS Rally Live #tcot new.livestream.com/teapartypatrio… http://t.co/CfGYE7VxGZ—
Tea Party Patriots (@TPPatriots) May 21, 2013

All ages at the IRS protest at the GA Capitol #gapol #IRSSCANDAL http://t.co/U0r010ukw8—
Lori Geary (@lorigeary) May 21, 2013

Gov. Nathan Deal speaks during Tea Party protest against IRS at Georgia Capitol. http://t.co/TeYB0EeOiL—
Paul Yates FOX 5 (@PaulYatesFOX5) May 21, 2013

Virginia:

Ron Wilcox with northern va #teaparty protesting #irs for discrimination and targeting citizens #tcot #tgdn http://t.co/WekD5xale7—
Jenny Beth Martin (@jennybethm) May 21, 2013

And the scandal-ridden Cincinnati office, where the targeting occurred:

Keep it up, Ohio!! MT @michellemalkin #IRSprotest #IRSProtestCincy starting to gather http://t.co/UPzyETrLzF #tcot #IRS—
Leah Courtney (@LCourtney90) May 21, 2013

RT @TanaWeingartner: Tea Party rallies against IRS on Fountain Square. http://t.co/hsZbPlOnA4 #teaparty #cincinnati—
Plum Street Playpen (@PlumStPlayPen) May 21, 2013

Over 500 here now.more coming #IRSprotest #IRSProtestCincy http://t.co/61WPBD6Jqb—
Ann Becker (@annbecker1999) May 21, 2013

Cincy IRS is symbol of unchecked govt. power. “@adrianainman: #irsrally Cincinnati picture
@swohcc @freedomworks http://t.co/mp5rg1nmR8”—
Ed Bell (@edbelloh) May 21, 2013

This sign says it all:

Sign at Cincinnati Tea Party rally. Waiting for march to IRS building. http://t.co/UQo7Cqk98w—
  (@TheTruthDamit) May 21, 2013

Update: More photos from across the country.

#IRSProtest attendees in Town & Country MO wearing targets on their backs ==> http://t.co/AzevVHsbti—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

#IRSProtest MT @bundgaard2 Protest outside Nashville Fed Ct House vs IRS for targeting Tea Party groups http://t.co/cNdq19xu7p—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

#IRSProtest sign in Nashville: "I'm from the IRS and I'm here to enforce Obamacare. Isn't that special?" http://t.co/MDd5g8R3wm—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

Perfect: "Don't target me, bro" – sign in front of IRS building in D.C. #IRSProtest https://t.co/Wfr29TLPPZ—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

Earlier, he suddenly recalled that it had been his idea to plant the question prompting Lois Lerner to admit that the IRS targeted conservatives, after initially not taking responsibility when questioned last week. He also insisted that the IRS’ actions were not politically motivated:

Miller: IRS behavior, "while intolerable, was a mistake, not an act of partisanship."—
Ali Weinberg (@AliNBCNews) May 21, 2013

IRS jerk Steve Miller: "I do not believe partisanship" played a role. IRS "trying to be more efficient." "Mistake, not act of partisanship."—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

Miller calls targeting of conservative groups "foolish mistake" not motivated by partisanship. Clearly.—
Kaylin Bugos (@KaylinBugos) May 21, 2013

Transcript:

I do not believe that partisanship motivated the people who engaged in the practices described in the Treasury Inspector General’s report. I’ve reviewed the Treasury Inspector General’s report and I believe its conclusions are consistent with that. I think that what happened here was that foolish mistakes were made by people trying to be more efficient in their workload selection. The listing described in the report, while intolerable, was a mistake, and not an act of partisanship.

Later, he admitted that that the IRS’ actions were … politically motivated:

IRS' Miller admits that Tea Party search terms were "absolutely" partisan.—
Jon Ward (@jonward11) May 21, 2013

Come again?

WOAH…Miller just admitted under oath that IRS targeting WAS Partisan!—
Susan Reaney (@SSReaney) May 21, 2013

DING DING -Miller finally admitted 1st phase of #IRS targeting was "partisan" in trying to defend 2nd phase as less bad. @SenateFinance—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

But… they said it wasn't before?? RT @jonward11 IRS' Miller admits that Tea Party search terms were "absolutely" partisan.—
RB (@RBPundit) May 21, 2013

Transcript:

Miller: The second listing … in the Treasury Inspector General’s report is still problematic because it talks about policy positions, but it actually is not particularly partisan in how it talks about policy positions.

Sen. Richard Burr: So it was partisan before, though.

Miller: Yes, it absolutely was.

Hey — it’s an IRS commissioner’s prerogative to change his mind!

That's extra hilarious. RT @sdwinkler No, they admit partisan, but claim it was an accident, not motivated by bias. @RBPundit @jonward11—
RB (@RBPundit) May 21, 2013

There's no such thing as "accidental" partisanship. No such thing as unbiased partisanship. But that's the #IRS's excuse right now.—
RB (@RBPundit) May 21, 2013

So the question is who's idea it was to start it. RT @jonward11: IRS' Miller admits that Tea Party search terms were "absolutely" partisan.—
  (@Rschrim) May 21, 2013

Oh, what a tangled web.

Now we learn, via Chris Stigall’s interview with Attkisson, that her computers were compromised beginning in February of 2011.

Heads up: Sharyl Attkisson says something fishy’s been going on with her computers since early 2011 hotair.com/archives/2013/…—
Allahpundit (@allahpundit) May 21, 2013

First noticed 2/11! RT @politico Sharyl Attkisson's computers compromised politi.co/14NmLIs—
Nathan Wurtzel (@NathanWurtzel) May 21, 2013

NEW from Phineas: #WarOnJournalism: Who's been snooping in Sharyl Attkisson's computers? bit.ly/16M5Hqw #fb—
Sister Toldjah (@sistertoldjah) May 21, 2013

Attkisson told Politico, “I’m not prepared to make an allegation against a specific entity.” But in her interview with Stigall, she said it was possible “there could be some relationship between” the DOJ spying on Fox News reporter James Rosen and what happened to her computers.

#Benghazi #FastandFurious Sharyl Attkisson: Strange things happening to my computer since 2011 (AUDIO) youtu.be/iOQ6UEO7Ofg #uniteblue—
Roy Rogers (@Roy__Rogers) May 21, 2013

Fair question in light of AP/James Rosen: did Obama Administration also spy on @SharylAttkisson? hotair.com/archives/2013/… (via @allahpundit)—
Ken Gardner (@kesgardner) May 21, 2013

Whoa. Scary and believable. @sharylattkisson hacked? ow.ly/lfmyB via @hotairblog @allahpundit #FastAndFurious #Benghazi—
Allan Bourdius (@allanbourdius) May 21, 2013

Allahpundit asks a crucial exit question:

“Whether Attkisson was monitored or not, it can’t be just the AP and Rosen whom the feds have snooped on in four years. How many other reporters?“

Outgoing acting IRS chief Steven Miller was busted by Sen. Chuck Grassley while testifying before the Senate Finance Committee. That planted question that prompted the IRS’ Lois “Math is Hard” Lerner to admit the agency targeted conservatives was all Miller’s brilliant idea.

Miller now says he came up with idea to plant the question for Lerner—
Jon Ward (@jonward11) May 21, 2013

Wow. #IRS chief Steve Miller admits to Congress he planted the question at ABA conf that broke the #conservative 501c4 targeting scandal.—
John Fogarty, Jr. (@JohnFogartyJr) May 21, 2013

==>Grassley busts Miller over phony "spontaneous" Lois Lerner admission. Miller takes "responsibility" for planting q. #IRS @SenateFinance—
Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) May 21, 2013

Miller planted question about IG report. This is acceptable? Now Obama's press conferences make much more sense.—
Razor (@hale_razor) May 21, 2013

OH MY GOD. Miller now says he came up with idea to plant the question.—
Sunny (@sunnyright) May 21, 2013

Outgoing acting IRS chief says it was his idea to use a "planted question" to apologize for Tea Party targeting—
Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) May 21, 2013

Once again, Miller admits he’s full of  “incredibly bad ideas.”

Steven Miller says planted-question IRS IG revelation was his idea. 'Obviously the entire thing was an incredibly bad idea.'—
Byron York (@ByronYork) May 21, 2013

Exit question:

Why didn't Miller take responsibility for planting the question when he was asked last week? What's he hiding?—
Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) May 21, 2013