have about 2000 agents that are part of a special unit that targets tax matters related to organized crime, drugs, terrorism, etc, where I can see the need for armed protection. I suppose they could call in the police/FBI, but I guess if they're coming at these investigations from a tax evasion angle, maybe it's easier more efficient to handle it all in house rather than try to coordinate with another separate agency.

In any event, the 85K armed agents is nothing more than a bullshit rightwing lie, and no ordinary citizen needs to worry about armed IRS agents kicking down their door.