American tax officials

Thinking of this, Manch dared not delay any longer, quickly changed into formal attire, got into his car, and sped towards the Manhattan Police Department.

……

Manhattan Precinct.

The protest leaders, led by Steinbeck, stood there stunned for a long time, their faces pale.

But what they didn't realize at that moment was that what awaited them was a bloody lesson!

"Inspector General David, you can't do this!"

A man next to Steinbeck was the first to come to his senses. Realizing the consequences of the IRS cutting Social Security funding, he spoke tremblingly.

"Didn't you say that social security benefits like welfare payments were unrelated to the IRS? Now you say they are?"

"you……"

David's words left him speechless, and also left Steinbeck and the others at a loss for words.

Before they could say anything more, sirens blared from all directions, and a large number of police officers arrived at the scene.

Since New York City Police Commissioner Congua had already been brought back, the person personally leading the team this time was none other than Deputy Commissioner Chimi Carter.

However, his expression was grim. He approached David and said in a low voice, "Chief Inspector David, you… this… sigh, this is terrible!"

Actually, he was somewhat dissatisfied with David's actions. Not only did he bring their chief back, causing the New York City Police Department to lose face, but now he even announced the cutting of New York's welfare funding. Wouldn't the city's homeless and unemployed people be in an uproar?

The IRS is probably fine now.

But who is the unlucky one?

Of course, it's the city's law enforcement agency, the police station!

Despite his dissatisfaction, he could only suppress it as much as possible when he thought of David's methods.

"What's wrong, Deputy Chief Chimicart?"

"After your IRS announced the cuts to Social Security funding, the entire city of New York..."

Chimicart reported that the homeless and unemployed had rioted and were already on their way with weapons.

As the two were talking, a series of noises suddenly came from afar.

Looking up, one could see that homeless people and the unemployed, armed with sticks, had arrived at the scene from all directions.

The protesters, who were already pale, were so frightened by this scene that their legs went weak.

Do you think these people are here to get revenge on the IRS or David?

I definitely wouldn't dare.

If they dare to mess with the State Taxation Administration, the Armed Forces Department could wipe them out in no time.

So even if these people are incredibly stupid or furious, they would never do something so foolish.

The purpose of their arrival is self-evident: to retaliate against the protesters.

It was precisely because of their protests here, and their shouting of terms like welfare payments and unemployment benefits that were unrelated to the IRS, that the IRS, in a fit of anger, announced the abolition of these programs!

"I have some other things to attend to, so I'll leave this to you, Deputy Director Chimicart. But be careful not to let things escalate too much!"

David also found this matter somewhat troublesome, so after thinking about it, he decided it was best not to get involved and turned to walk into the station.

"Damn it..."

Watching David run away and shirk responsibility, Chimicart cursed inwardly.

So, you, Inspector General David, were the one who started all this, and now you want me to stop things from getting out of hand?

They really know how to shift the blame!

Despite their dissatisfaction, maintaining order was ultimately the duty of their police department, so Chimicart didn't linger and quickly organized his men to prepare to bring the situation under control first.

Inside the bureau.

After David walked in, Neham quickly asked, "What's next, Inspector General David?"

"Contact our court and prepare for the trial."

David has arrested quite a few Freemason officials in the past few days, and now he has even brought the governor back. It's time to wrap things up.

"Is the trial about to begin? Does that mean you're confident you can convict those people?"

After all, there are quite a few people to deal with this time, so Nehm needs to be cautious to ensure a safe outcome.

"rest assured!"

"Alright then, I'll make the arrangements!"

Seeing David's confidence, Nehm didn't waste any more words and immediately turned to leave to make the arrangements.

David then gave some instructions to Mangsen, Jerry, and Larin, and the others, who then nodded and left to carry them out.

……

After a frantic drive, Manche finally arrived at the scene outside the Manhattan precinct.

"Mr. Manchi, you've finally arrived!"

With such a significant cut to social security, the Department of Labor couldn't sit idly by. Relevant personnel arrived at the scene long ago, and once they saw their key support arrive, they calmed down considerably.

"How is the situation now?"

Looking at the chaotic scene around him, Manch asked with a serious expression.

"The police are keeping things under control, so the situation isn't too bad yet, but this can't go on forever..."

"Take me to see the leaders of those protesters first!"

Labor Department personnel, accompanied by Manch, quickly approached Steinbeck and the others, who were being protected by police.

Strictly speaking, however, they were not being protected by the police. Rather, they only approached the police because they saw that the homeless men were too aggressive, so they shamelessly stuck to their side to avoid being beaten to death.

"Fuck you, Steinbeck, what the hell are you doing?"

Steinbeck was able to stand at the center of the protest to confront David because she had some prestige within the New York protest groups, and therefore Manch knew her.

"Mr. Manch, I'm just protecting our interests. After all, the governor promised us good jobs..."

Steinbeck was indeed frightened at first, but he has calmed down a lot now.

"Foolish! No matter how much you defend our interests or support the governor, you can't confront David directly. Don't you know who he is?"

Upon hearing this, Steinbeck lowered his head.

After hearing that the governor had been arrested by the IRS, and seeing the promised good job slip away, coupled with some incentives given to him by certain people, she took on this protest action. Looking back now, she admits that she was indeed a bit out of her mind.

After all, Manch was right; David was a really tough guy to mess with.

This involves social security funds for tens of millions of people, and to cut them so easily—besides David, probably no one else would do something so reckless.

"And if you're going to stand your ground, fine, but you chose the most foolish way possible. You were stupid enough to say in front of the media and the whole world that the welfare benefits you receive, such as unemployment benefits, have nothing to do with the IRS?"

"In America, let alone your welfare payments, everything from airplanes and artillery to aircraft carriers, rockets, skyscrapers, and communications facilities—all of that comes with IRS funding."

"You're saying your welfare payments have nothing to do with them? Isn't that a public slap in the face to the entire IRS? If I were him, I might not dare to immediately announce the cutting of these social security funds, but I would definitely find a way to reduce the funds allocated to New York!"

Manch launched into another furious reprimand.

"Mr. Manch, you're right, but our welfare payments and unemployment benefits... are indeed applied for from the Department of Labor, which in turn applies to the Department of Finance. That's several departments involved..."

Although he kept his head down, Steinbeck still tried to justify his behavior.

"You...you're incredibly stupid!"

"It's true that your relief funds and unemployment benefits are received from the Department of Labor, and it's also true that the Department of Labor applies to the Treasury Department."

"But don't forget, the money originated from the IRS."

"If they sabotage and withhold the funds, the Treasury will have no money. If the Treasury has no money, what's the point of the Labor Department applying? In the end, you won't receive anything, understand, you idiot!"

Manchi was so angry he almost had a heart attack.

Forget about the homeless and unemployed workers; if the law allowed, he would have strangled Stan and those men to death.

"Look at all these people around you. Right now, only the police are here, but they can't stay with you forever. If they really can't receive this relief money later, you're all doomed. You know what those homeless people won't do when they have no other way to survive?"

Manqi pointed to the homeless men who were eyeing him menacingly not far away.

Upon hearing this, Steinbeck and the others finally realized the seriousness of their lapse in composure.

Yes, they are being protected by the police now, but the police are not their bodyguards, so how can they protect them forever?

If the police leave, those homeless men will skin them alive!

Realizing this, Steinbeck panicked completely and grabbed Manch's arm, pleading, "Mr. Manch, I was instigated by others, which led me to do something so foolish. You must save me..."

"Now you finally realize how serious the consequences are!"

Mandy looked at her with annoyance.

"I understand, you must save me... You know, I have a daughter, she can't lose her mother..."

Manch shook off his arm, glaring at him. "I'll go in and talk to Inspector General David first, but afterwards you must apologize to his face, even if it means kneeling and begging for forgiveness. You must ask him to rescind the decree cutting social security funding, otherwise even God couldn't save you today!"

After saying that, Manch explained his and his group's identities to the law enforcement officers and then walked into the Manhattan precinct.

David was sitting in the hall at that moment.

Manch quickly stepped forward and introduced himself, "Hello, Inspector General David. Let me introduce myself first. I am the New York Secretary of Labor, and these are my colleagues..."

He first introduced himself, and then led his colleagues to shake hands with David one by one.

"Mr. Manchi, how can I help you?"

At this critical juncture, the arrival of the Labor Secretary was, of course, something David guessed was related to Social Security funds, but he didn't say it outright.

"Yes, Inspector David, first of all, on behalf of the unemployed workers, I would like to express my sincere apologies to you and the IRS. They should not have questioned the value that your IRS has created for this society and this country."

After saying that, Manchi turned to the doorway and shouted, "Come in, all of you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several protesters, led by Steinbeck, were brought in.

Realizing the enormity of their mistake, they were all pale-faced and trembling, bowing their heads and no longer daring to look David in the eye.

"What are you standing there for? Speak up!"

Unlike his respectful tone and attitude towards David, Manche was anything but polite when dealing with the others, speaking as if he were yelling at prisoners.

"I...I..."

The group stammered, but couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"It's okay, you did nothing wrong. After all, we Americans uphold freedom of speech, and you don't have to take any responsibility for what you just said."

David's words, though seemingly comforting, sounded like a death knell to Steinbeck and his companions.

Yes, they don't have to take responsibility for what they say, but now their welfare payments, unemployment benefits, and all sorts of other benefits have "disappeared," and they have to bear the wrath of thousands of homeless people and unemployed workers in this city.

What's the difference between this and killing them?

Thinking of this, Steinbeck couldn't hold back any longer and apologized tearfully, "I'm so sorry, Inspector General David, I've realized my mistake, please forgive me..."

"I also realize that I was wrong and should not have questioned Inspector General David and the contributions of your IRS."

"Me too……"

Steinbeck's opening remarks immediately triggered sobs from several of his companions.

"Chief Inspector David, as you've seen, they seem to have realized their mistake in this incident. Perhaps... you could rescind your order?"

"Without welfare and unemployment benefits, many people in this city wouldn't be able to survive!"

"And look at the situation outside. Once the relief funds stop, those few... their lives might be in danger. They all have families, children and such, you see..."

Manch's sincere words failed to move David. He smiled and replied, "Mr. Manch, it's too late now. As you've probably seen, our headquarters has already issued a statement, proving that our director and his high-ranking officials are extremely angry!"

What he really wanted to say was, "You think that relief funds and unemployment benefits are unrelated to our IRS?"

Now that they see things aren't going their way, they're saying they can just come back whenever they want? What do they think the IRS is?

"Well... Inspector General David, you're right, but the announcement says that it will support all your decisions, Inspector General David. In other words, if you agree to withdraw the order to cut New York's social security funding, I believe your higher-ups at headquarters will also approve!"

Manch's face turned somewhat grim, but he still forced himself to plead.

"Why should I retract this order? Do I want to slap myself in public?"

David countered with a question. (End of Chapter)