Trump Fires IRS Commissioner Billy Long After Record Brief Term/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long as IRS commissioner less than two months after his Senate confirmation. Long, now set to become ambassador to Iceland, holds the record for the shortest Senate-confirmed tenure since the role’s creation in 1862. His departure comes amid ongoing turnover and deep staffing cuts at the tax agency under the Trump administration.
Billy Long IRS Exit Quick Looks
- Billy Long removed as IRS commissioner after under two months in office.
- Long to become U.S. ambassador to Iceland, per Trump nomination.
- Shortest-ever Senate-confirmed tenure for an IRS commissioner since 1862.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent named acting commissioner.
- IRS has lost over 25% of staff this year amid Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts.
- Long previously served as a Missouri congressman from 2011–2023.
- While in Congress, Long sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS.
- Senate confirmed Long 53–44 despite Democratic concerns over his ties to fraudulent pandemic-era tax credits.
- Democrats previously called for a criminal investigation into Long’s connections to alleged fake tax credit schemes.
- IRS leadership has been unstable, with four acting chiefs before Long’s appointment.
Trump Fires IRS Commissioner Billy Long After Record Brief Term
Deep Look
President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long from his post as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months after his Senate confirmation, the White House confirmed. Long’s brief stint makes him the shortest-serving Senate-confirmed IRS commissioner in the agency’s 163-year history.
The official reason for Long’s dismissal has not been publicly disclosed. Long announced on social media that Trump had nominated him to serve as U.S. ambassador to Iceland, calling it an “honor” to take on the new role.
“It is a honor to serve my friend President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long wrote on X. “Exciting times ahead!”
Leadership Turmoil at the IRS
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step in as acting IRS commissioner, according to the White House. Long’s departure adds to a pattern of instability at the tax agency, which has cycled through four acting commissioners since Trump’s second term began.
The IRS has also endured a significant workforce contraction this year. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration reported that staff numbers fell from 103,000 in January to 77,000 in May 2025 — a reduction driven largely by the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) “deferred resignation” program. The Trump administration has framed these cuts as part of its broader mission to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy.
An Unconventional Appointment
Long’s appointment raised eyebrows from the start. A former Missouri congressman and auctioneer, he had no experience in tax administration and, while in Congress from 2011 to 2023, had sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS entirely.
The Senate confirmed him in June on a 53–44 vote, despite opposition from Democrats who flagged concerns over his past work with a firm that marketed the pandemic-era employee retention tax credit — a program later shut down by then-commissioner Daniel Werfel due to widespread fraud.
After leaving Congress for an unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in 2022, Long joined the firm, which distributed the credits before the program’s closure. Democrats have called for a criminal investigation into his ties to other alleged tax credit loopholes, claiming investors were misled into buying fake credits worth millions of dollars.
Previous Leadership Issues
The IRS has been rocked by leadership controversies in recent years. One acting commissioner resigned after revelations of an agreement to share immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Another appointment triggered a dispute between former Trump adviser Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Bessent.
Upon taking the helm in June, Long had outlined a vision for cultural change within the IRS. In a message to staff, he pledged to use his first 90 days to work with “employee partners” on creating a new workplace culture aimed at improving experiences for both workers and taxpayers. His term ended well before that 90-day mark.
Looking Ahead
Long’s departure leaves the IRS without a permanent leader at a time when the agency is grappling with a shrinking workforce, increased public scrutiny, and the challenge of enforcing tax laws amid political pressure to limit its scope.
For now, Scott Bessent’s acting leadership will focus on maintaining operations during yet another transition — and on steering the agency through what has become a turbulent chapter in its long history.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.