The idea that the US Federal Government will ever significantly punish the IRS is far beyond hilarious.

I would agree that no one should expect our current president and his administration to punish the IRS. But it's not for the reason you're stating, and it's certainly not the last word on the subject.

I don't think you need a lecture, but I do think people outside the U.S. sometimes are misled by sloppy statements from Barack Obama. For instance, a year ago he described the IRS as an independent agency. It is not. The IRS is the administrative branch of the Department of Treasury, though each area often keeps an arms-length relationship. It falls directly under the Executive Branch. By law, the president can dismiss the IRS commissioner at will. The IRS Chief Counsel is also appointed by the President.

The Obama administration would not likely punish the IRS, as the IRS has been acting to punish opposition to the current administration. But the IRS has being losing cases in U.S. District Court. And recently the IRS was dealt a significant blow when a federal judge dismissed an IRS claim of sovereign immunity in a case involving a pro-Israel group that is suing the IRS for delaying and applying special scrutiny to organizations whose views the IRS stated "contradict those of the administration’s.”

As I stated, the House of Representatives has the full authority to defund the IRS. I highly doubt they will - but given the massive corruption right now, they should.