The IRS lackeys and muckety-mucks alike were probably told that any letter from such a (dem) legislator could be "taken to the bank" as a promise that they would not be prosecuted for any crimes related to such illegal targeting. I worked in a government agency in the late 70's. Even then liberals were in charge, and IF a republican asked for an accounting the walls around the agency went up. These agencies are reelection tools for liberals. Generally speaking republicans are 'law and order'!!!!
I have a relative that's a mid-level IRS manager. I can sometimes tell when a quasi- official anti-republican message comes through, as he spouts a leftist, probably union-inspired party line as if to be seen and heard--as if it'll put him up for promotion or keep him in some doghouse, depending on how his boss(es) see him align himself (or not--but he aligns with the union, for certain).
HF