Obama: US tax actions 'intolerable,' 'inexcusable'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says a government watchdog's report shows intolerable and inexcusable behavior by the U.S. federal tax agency in targeting conservative political groups.

Obama says in a statement that some Internal Revenue Service employees failed to apply the law fairly and impartially.

Obama says he's asked Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to hold accountable those responsible and ensure it never happens again. He says regardless of how it happened, it was wrong.

The report from the Treasury inspector general for tax administration blames ineffective IRS management for allowing agents to improperly target tea party groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for tax exempt status. It says lax managers allowed the practice to continue for 18 months.

The IRS apologized for the practice Friday. The Justice Department is also investigating.