IRS Commissioner Resigning
President Donald Trump has made another decisive move to clean house at the IRS, replacing Commissioner Billy Long less than two months after his Senate confirmation and nominating him for a prestigious new role — U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.
Treasury Secretary Steps In
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will temporarily lead the IRS while Long awaits formal confirmation for his ambassadorship.
“It is an honor to serve my friend President Trump, and I’m thrilled to take on my new role as ambassador,” Long said in a White House statement. “I am fully committed to advancing his bold America First agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Democrats Tried to Block Him
Long, a proud Trump ally, was confirmed in June in a tight 53-44 party-line vote. Not a single Democrat supported him, attacking his lack of deep IRS policy experience — a point conservatives see as proof he wasn’t part of the D.C. swamp.
Trump’s IRS Purge
This leadership shake-up comes as Trump continues a historic IRS overhaul, rolling back the massive expansion pushed under Joe Biden. That expansion poured billions into hiring thousands of new auditors — a move many feared would target hard-working middle-class Americans instead of Washington insiders and corporate tax dodgers.
A new National Taxpayer Advocate report reveals the IRS taxpayer services division is on track to lose nearly 22% of its workforce — reversing Biden’s aggressive hiring spree.
Democrats Targeted Long Early
Democrats began investigating Long back in December over his promotion of a pandemic-era tax credit later linked to fraudulent claims. Conservatives say this was nothing more than a political smear campaign against a Trump loyalist.
From Congress to Diplomacy
A Missouri native, Long represented his district in Congress from 2011 to 2023, once introducing a bill to abolish the IRS altogether. Before politics, he built a successful career as an auctioneer and real estate broker — real-world experience that shaped his understanding of how government overreach hurts small businesses and families.
With Long’s departure, he becomes the fifth IRS leader since Trump’s second term began, following four others who served on an acting basis.
The IRS has referred all questions to the Treasury Department, which has yet to issue a comment.
