IRS leadership shakeup

Trump removes Billy Long from the IRS leadership role after a tenure of less than two months and signals a broader leadership shakeup.

Trump dismisses Billy Long as IRS commissioner after brief tenure

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has removed former U.S. Rep. Billy Long as IRS commissioner less than two months after his confirmation, a White House official said Friday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting IRS commissioner while the White House searches for a permanent replacement. Long had indicated in a social post that he would pursue a new role as ambassador to Iceland and said he was keen to advance the president’s agenda.

Long faced questions from Democrats about his ties to a firm that marketed pandemic-era tax credits and about campaign contributions he received after his nomination. The IRS has experienced turnover since the start of Trump’s second term, with four acting leaders before Long and a round of staff reductions this year. The agency has shed thousands of workers as part of a broader effort to shrink the federal workforce.

The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of personnel moves. Long’s departure comes as the IRS navigates leadership gaps and ongoing questions about how leadership changes may affect tax administration and employee morale.

This move illustrates the persistent churn at the top of a key federal agency. Leadership instability can sap morale and slow decision-making, especially in a year when the IRS is expected to implement new priorities. Friction over past associations and the rapid turnover feeding public scrutiny raise concerns about how nonpartisan governance can be maintained under political pressure.

At the same time, the development highlights how political signals influence personnel decisions. The reported ambassadorship for Long signals that leadership posts can serve dual roles as policy management and political incentives. If the IRS cannot project steady leadership, taxpayers and staff may question the agency’s ability to deliver consistent service and enforcement under changing political winds.

Highlights

The next chapter at the IRS will test whether leadership can stabilize a crucial agency amid political scrutiny.