President Donald Trump has announced the unexpected replacement of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Billy Long just two months following his Senate confirmation, marking another significant shift in the leadership of a key federal agency. Long, who was narrowly confirmed in June by a 53-44 vote, has been a subject of controversy due to his limited experience in tax policy and his involvement in promoting disputed pandemic-era tax credits.
Long's brief tenure as IRS chief has been fraught with conflict and controversy, reflecting the broader instability within the agency during Trump's administration. His lack of prior tax policy expertise had been a sticking point for Democrats, who largely opposed his nomination. Critics have accused Long of facilitating fraudulent claims through his promotion of contentious tax credits during the pandemic.
The decision to replace Long comes amid reports of ongoing disputes between him and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a known Trump ally. Bessent will take over as acting IRS commissioner until a permanent successor is confirmed. This temporary appointment of Bessent is seen as a strategic move to consolidate control over the IRS, an agency that has experienced considerable upheaval under the current administration.
The IRS, under Trump's leadership, has witnessed an unprecedented turnover in its upper ranks. Long was the fifth individual to helm the commissioner's post after four acting predecessors, contributing to a climate of uncertainty within the agency. This frequent change in leadership aligns with a broader attrition of personnel, with the agency losing nearly 25% of its employees during Trump's term—a significant blow to an organization that employs around 100,000 people.
A report from the National Taxpayer Advocate has raised alarms about the IRS's dwindling capacity, particularly within the taxpayer services division, which is bracing for a 22% reduction in its workforce. Long's approach to leading the IRS was also marked by his previous congressional advocacy for the outright abolition of the agency. During his short stint as commissioner, he was instrumental in the Trump administration's efforts to dismiss top IRS officials.
Long's leadership period has been marred by a series of controversies, including a lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which purportedly sought improper access to taxpayer information during Elon Musk's association with the agency. Moreover, Long was embroiled in criticism last year when acting IRS commissioners resigned amidst pressures to release taxpayer data to Homeland Security immigration authorities, highlighting the agency's struggles with political interference and internal discord.
Recently, Long made headlines with his announcement that the IRS tax filing season would commence later next year, a statement that was subsequently deemed premature and corrected by the agency. This latest development in IRS leadership comes shortly after Bessent publicly disclosed that he would not be assuming the role of Federal Reserve chairman.
