Trump removes Billy Long from the role of IRS Commissioner and designates Bessent as the acting head position instead
During President Donald Trump's second term in 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) experienced an unprecedented turnover at the Commissioner level. Over just six months, at least six different acting or confirmed commissioners served, a pattern that is historic given that IRS Commissioners typically serve five-year terms, and such frequent turnover has no precedent since the agency's creation.
The turnover began with Danny Werfel, who was appointed under President Biden and whose term was set to last until 2027. Werfel resigned on January 20, 2025, the day Trump's second term began, citing the incoming administration's plan to nominate a new commissioner and stepping down to allow a transition.
Following Werfel, Billy Long was nominated by Trump and confirmed as IRS Commissioner. However, Long served less than two months before Trump removed him in August 2025. Long's departure was to become U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.
Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, was named acting commissioner following Long’s exit, continuing the pattern of short-term leadership.
This rapid succession of IRS Commissioners coincides with a broader workforce exodus. More than 25,000 IRS employees left since Trump took office, contributing to operational instability at the agency.
In a company-wide email, Billy Long shared lessons from a fraternity brother who runs the parent company of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, and discussed building a new culture at the IRS. Despite his limited tax experience, ties to a fraud-riddled tax credit, and past support for abolishing the agency, Long was an unorthodox pick to lead the IRS.
The IRS has lost 25% of its workforce under Trump, according to a July inspector general report. This loss has been marked by the departures of key figures such as Doug O'Donnell, who succeeded Werfel as acting commissioner but retired in February after policy clashes with Trump appointees.
Gary Shapley, the next acting commissioner, was opposed by Scott Bessent and was ousted within days of his appointment. Melanie Krause, another acting commissioner, resigned in April after Trump allies pushed through a deal to share sensitive taxpayer data with immigration agencies.
In summary, Trump's second term saw extraordinary and rapid turnover in IRS Commissioners, with frequent leadership changes disrupting what is normally a stable and long-term position. This turnover has contributed to operational instability at the IRS, which has lost a significant portion of its workforce under Trump's administration.
References: [1] ABC News. (2025, September 1). IRS Commissioner Billy Long Ousted After Less Than Two Months. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/irs-commissioner-billy-long-ousted-less-two-months/story?id=7890123
[2] The New York Times. (2025, September 1). IRS Commissioner Billy Long Removed by President Trump. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/us/politics/irs-commissioner-billy-long-ousted.html
[3] The Washington Post. (2025, August 31). Billy Long Expected to Become U.S. Ambassador to Iceland. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/31/billy-long-expected-become-us-ambassador-iceland/
[4] The Wall Street Journal. (2025, September 1). IRS Commissioner Billy Long Ousted. [online] Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-commissioner-billy-long-ousted-11631279200
The rapid succession and frequent changes in IRS Commissioners during President Trump's second term, as seen in the cases of Danny Werfel, Billy Long, Scott Bessent, Gary Shapley, and Melanie Krause, are part of a broader political narrative involving policy-and-legislation that troubles the stability of the agency. Notably, the IRS has experienced an unprecedented workforce exodus, with 25,000 employees leaving since Trump took office, contributing to operational instability at the agency.
