Trump dissolves IRS commissioner Billy Long's tenure mere weeks following Senate endorsement
After a tumultuous tenure, Billy Long, the former U.S. congressman from Missouri, has been removed as the IRS commissioner by President Donald Trump. His departure marks the sixth change in leadership at the IRS since the beginning of 2025, with Scott Bessent, the current U.S. Treasury Secretary, stepping in as the acting IRS commissioner.
Long, who was sworn in as IRS commissioner on June 16, 2025, had a brief stint of less than two months before being replaced. He was later appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland. The change in leadership comes during a period of significant turnover in the IRS, reflecting the broader administrative landscape under President Trump.
Prior to his tenure as IRS commissioner, Long had no background in tax administration. However, it's important to note that during his time in Congress from 2011 to 2023, he sponsored legislation aimed at eliminating the IRS.
The circumstances surrounding Long's removal have raised concerns. While serving as IRS commissioner, Long's past work for a firm that pitched a fraud-ridden coronavirus pandemic-era tax break has come under scrutiny. Democrats have called for a criminal investigation into Long's connections to alleged tax credit loopholes, with firms linked to him alleged by Democrats to have duped investors into spending millions of dollars on fake tax credits.
The employee retention tax credit program, which Long's firm distributed during the pandemic, was eventually shut down due to being determined fraudulent by then-IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel.
Scott Bessent, the new acting IRS commissioner, has a challenging task ahead. His appointment comes amidst reports of a deal between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security to share immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which led to the resignation of one of the acting leaders.
The White House official who made the announcement was not authorized to speak publicly, adding to the controversy surrounding the IRS's leadership changes. Furthermore, another acting leader's appointment led to a public spat between Elon Musk and Bessent.
Before Long's confirmation, the IRS had four acting leaders. As Bessent takes over, he will need to navigate these complex issues and restore stability to the IRS. His dual role as Treasury Secretary and acting IRS commissioner will undoubtedly present unique challenges, but Bessent's experience and expertise in financial matters offer a promising foundation for his new role.
[1] New York Times. (2025). Trump Removes Billy Long as IRS Commissioner. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/us/politics/billy-long-irs-commissioner.html
[2] Washington Post. (2025). Scott Bessent Takes Over as Acting IRS Commissioner. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/scott-bessent-takes-over-as-acting-irs-commissioner/2025/08/01/7666e714-a4d5-523d-b6d5-7f523a9f603d_story.html
[3] CNN. (2025). IRS Leadership Turnover Under Trump Administration. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/politics/irs-leadership-turnover-trump-administration/index.html
[1] The ongoing leadership changes at the IRS, including the recent removal of Billy Long under questionable circumstances, have sparked concern within war-and-conflicts and politics, as his past work for a firm accused of fraud and connections to alleged tax credit loopholes are under scrutiny.
[2] As the acting IRS commissioner, Scott Bessent faces a challenging task amidst policy-and-legislation controversy, dealing with ongoing allegations of misconduct and questionable dealings between the IRS and Homeland Security, while navigating the complexities of the general-news landscape under President Trump's administration.
