WASHINGTON, D.C. August 16, 2026 — In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has removed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Billy Long from his post less than two months after his Senate confirmation, marking the shortest tenure of any IRS commissioner since the role’s creation in 1862. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been appointed acting commissioner, a White House official confirmed Friday, August 8, 2025, sparking debate over the abrupt shakeup at the nation’s tax agency.
Long, a former Missouri congressman and Trump ally, was sworn in as IRS commissioner on June 16, 2025, following a contentious 53-44 Senate vote. His nomination had drawn scrutiny from Democrats over his limited tax administration experience and past ties to a firm involved in a fraudulent pandemic-era tax credit scheme. Long, who once co-sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS, faced further criticism for campaign contributions linked to his nomination and allegations of promoting questionable tax credits.
The White House has not publicly disclosed the reason for Long’s dismissal. However, Long announced on X that he has been tapped for a new role as U.S. ambassador to Iceland, stating, “It is a honor to serve my friend President Trump, and I am excited to take on my new role… Exciting times ahead!” The reassignment has fueled speculation about internal administration tensions, with some posts on X suggesting Long’s ouster may be linked to disagreements over using IRS data for immigration enforcement, though such claims remain unverified.
Bessent, now tasked with overseeing the IRS alongside his Treasury duties, becomes the sixth person to lead the agency this year. The IRS has faced significant turmoil under Trump’s second term, including sweeping job cuts driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency’s workforce has reportedly dropped from 103,000 to 77,000 employees since January, with further reductions planned. These cuts, combined with the implementation of Trump’s recent tax law changes—such as tax exemptions on tips and overtime pay—have strained the agency’s operations.
Democrats swiftly criticized the move. Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) called Long’s nomination “doomed from the start,” citing his lack of expertise and alleging ongoing investigations into Long’s conduct. “This is what Trump does—pick incompetent, unserious people for serious jobs, and sit back as the damage piles up,” Wyden said.
Bessent, already managing trade negotiations and the search for a new Federal Reserve chair, faces a challenging road ahead as acting commissioner. The IRS is tasked with rolling out Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes tax cuts and new spending initiatives projected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over a decade. The agency also contends with increased tariff revenue collection, which Trump has proposed redirecting to an “external revenue service,” though this remains under Treasury’s purview.
A Treasury spokesperson praised Long’s “zeal and enthusiasm” in a statement, adding that a new commissioner candidate will be announced “at the appropriate time.” As the administration navigates this latest controversy, the IRS’s stability and ability to execute its mandate remain under intense scrutiny.
Sources: Associated Press, NBC News, The New York Times, Politico, Roll Call