Trump removes Billy Long from his position as IRS commissioner, only 2 months following his confirmation
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently facing a period of instability and challenge, with the sudden removal of former U.S. Rep. Billy Long as IRS commissioner and the appointment of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as the acting commissioner [1][2][3].
Long's tenure as IRS commissioner was brief, lasting less than two months. His appointment was controversial, with Democrats raising concerns about his past work for a firm that pitched a fraud-ridden coronavirus pandemic-era tax break and about campaign contributions he received after Trump nominated him [1]. Despite these concerns, the Senate confirmed Long as IRS commissioner.
However, Long's time in office was marked by inexperience—he had little background in tax administration—and public misstatements, such as incorrectly announcing the 2026 tax filing season start date [1][3]. His removal is part of a broader pattern of rapid leadership turnover at the IRS in 2025, with Long being the sixth commissioner this year, and the total number of acting or confirmed commissioners reaching seven—an unprecedented rate since the agency was founded in 1862 [1][4].
The IRS has also experienced significant staff losses. Since the beginning of President Trump's second term, the agency has lost a quarter of its staff [2]. This loss includes nearly half of its senior officials and around a quarter of its total workforce leaving in 2025, causing concerns about the agency's operational capacity and stability [1][4].
Democrats and some stakeholders have criticized the rapid commissioner turnover, saying it undermines the effectiveness of an agency critical to tax administration and public trust [1]. The ongoing leadership instability at the IRS coincides with the Department of Government Efficiency's burrowing in, which has further exacerbated the staffing issues at the agency [2].
In his message to IRS employees after confirmation, Billy Long discussed plans for a new culture within the IRS, with a focus on improving the lives of IRS employees and taxpayers [1]. However, it remains to be seen how the current leadership changes will impact the agency's operations and its ability to serve the public.
Sources:
- CNN
- The New York Times
- Politico
- Forbes
The ongoing political drama at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reflected in the policy-and-legislation sector, as the appointment and subsequent removal of Billy Long as IRS commissioner have stirred controversy. This politics-related upheaval comes amidst a period of general-news issues, including staff losses and operational instability at the IRS.
