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News > World

Sh!tty Christmas Gift of Manure for US Treasury Secretary

  • Robert Strong stands beside his horse manure present addressed to US Treasure Secretary Steve Mnuchin.

    Robert Strong stands beside his horse manure present addressed to US Treasure Secretary Steve Mnuchin. | Photo: Reuters

Published 26 December 2017
Opinion

The "gift," which was discovered by Mnuchin's nieghbor, was X-rayed by Los Angeles police before it was unwrapped. No charges have yet been filed.

Stench enveloped U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin this Christmas after a psychologist delivered a pile of horse manure to the official's Bel Air home as a "protest present" in response to the much-loathed federal tax bill.

RELATED: 
US Senate Approves Donald Trump's Unpopular Tax Bill

Robert Strong, 45, who works for the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, wrote on the accompanying gift card: "Misters Mnuchin & Trump, we're returning the 'gift' of the Christmas tax bill. Warmest wishes, The American people," Reuters reports.

Following the prank, Secret Service agents and six police officers paid Strong a visit late Sunday. One of the agents asked him: "Are you ashamed of your behavior?" Apparently not.

The "gift," which was discovered by Mnuchin's nieghbor, was X-rayed by Los Angeles police before it was unwrapped. No charges have yet been filed against Strong.

Despite widespread public opposition, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill last week. Protesters interrupted the session, chanting: "Kill the bill, don't kill us!"

Demonstrations have been organized by numerous progressive groups, such as Social Security Works; the Center for Popular Democracy; Housing Works; the Women's March; the Strong Economy for All Coalition, and Hedge Clippers. 

Their main concern is that the tax bill will add US$1 trillion to the deficit, which will allow Republicans to cut social programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduces corporate taxes by 14 percentage points, from 35 percent to 21 percent; raises by 50 percent the amount exempted from 40 percent inheritance tax, previously set at $5.5 million for individuals and $11 million for couples; and eliminates corporate tax on income from abroad.

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