Billy Long's tenure as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner has ended after less than two months. A White House official confirmed Friday that President Trump is removing the former Missouri congressman from his post, a move first reported by The New York Times.
Long, who was confirmed by the Senate in mid-June with a 53-44 vote, will be replaced on an acting basis by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. A reason for the abrupt dismissal was not immediately provided by the administration. However, sources suggest that Long is expected to be nominated for an ambassadorship.
A former auctioneer, Long served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023. His appointment to lead the IRS was considered unusual and controversial by many, as he has no formal training in tax administration or accounting and had previously co-sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS. Democrats during his confirmation hearing raised concerns about his post-congressional work advising businesses on tax credits, with some lawmakers alleging he was involved in "tax scam" activities—claims Long denied.
His brief time at the head of the tax agency was marked by a turbulent period for the IRS, which has seen a series of leadership changes and significant staff cuts since the beginning of the year. Long's ousting is the latest in a series of management shakeups at the agency.
