In a move that has sent shockwaves through Washington, President Donald Trump on August 8, 2025, removed Billy Long as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) less than two months after his Senate confirmation, according to reports from The Associated Press and The New York Times. The abrupt dismissal marks yet another chapter in what has been a tumultuous period for the IRS under Trump’s second term, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stepping in as acting commissioner while the administration considers a permanent replacement.
Long, a former U.S. Representative who served in Congress from 2011 to 2023, had only recently taken the helm of the IRS after being confirmed by the Senate in a narrow 53-44 vote. That confirmation came despite significant concerns from Democratic senators about Long’s lack of experience in tax administration and his previous work for a firm that promoted a fraudulent coronavirus pandemic-era tax break. As AP noted, Long is the shortest-tenured IRS commissioner confirmed by the Senate since the position was created in 1862.
The White House did not publicly provide a reason for Long’s removal. An unnamed official, not authorized to speak on the record, confirmed the firing but declined to elaborate on the circumstances. The rapid turnover at the top of the IRS has left many observers wondering about the agency’s stability and its ability to fulfill its core mission—especially at a time when it faces unprecedented internal challenges.
Long’s brief tenure as IRS commissioner was controversial from the start. Not only did he lack a background in tax administration—his previous career was as an auctioneer and then as a Republican member of Congress—but he had also sponsored legislation during his time in the House to abolish the IRS entirely, a position that raised eyebrows across party lines. According to The Associated Press, Long’s appointment was seen by critics as emblematic of the Trump administration’s broader push to reshape the federal bureaucracy, often at the expense of institutional expertise.
In a statement posted on social media after news of his dismissal broke, Long struck an upbeat tone about his future. "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. I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!" Long wrote on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.
Long’s departure comes against the backdrop of a broader Trump administration initiative to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce. Spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and with the vocal support of figures like Elon Musk, the campaign has resulted in thousands of IRS employees either being fired or resigning since Trump’s return to office in January 2025. This “slash-and-burn” approach, as some critics have labeled it, has drawn widespread condemnation from both within and outside the government.
The consequences of these mass layoffs have been immediate and severe. The IRS, already under strain from years of budget cuts and technological challenges, is now grappling with significant shortfalls in personnel. Concerns have mounted about the agency’s ability to process tax returns and refunds in a timely manner, with some lawmakers warning that the reduction in force could undermine public confidence in the nation’s tax system. As The New York Times reported, the agency’s capacity to carry out its basic functions has become a matter of national debate.
Since Trump’s second inauguration, the IRS has seen an almost unprecedented level of instability at its highest ranks. Long was the fifth person to lead the agency in Trump’s current term, following a string of acting and permanent commissioners, including Douglas O’Donnell, Melanie Krause, Gary Shapley, and Michael Faulkender. The revolving door at the top has only added to the sense of uncertainty gripping the agency.
Each leadership change has brought its own share of drama. O’Donnell took over on January 21, 2025, after his predecessor Danny Werfel announced his resignation prior to Trump’s inauguration. Krause later accepted a deferred resignation offer after the IRS reached a deal with the Department of Homeland Security to share immigrants’ tax data—a move that set off its own wave of controversy. Shapley’s brief tenure ended amid an internal battle between Musk and Bessent over the direction of the agency, according to The Associated Press.
The Senate’s confirmation of Long was itself a contentious affair. While Republicans praised his loyalty to Trump and willingness to shake up the IRS, Democrats raised alarms about his qualifications and ethics. The fact that Long had received campaign contributions after being nominated by Trump, combined with his prior work for a firm embroiled in a fraudulent pandemic-era tax break, fueled accusations of cronyism and conflicts of interest. Yet, with the GOP holding the majority, Long’s confirmation was ultimately pushed through.
For many in Washington, Long’s brief stint at the IRS is emblematic of a deeper philosophical divide over the role of government and the future of the federal bureaucracy. Supporters of the administration’s reforms argue that the IRS, long viewed with suspicion by many conservatives, is overdue for a shakeup. They see the streamlining of the agency and the appointment of outsiders like Long as necessary steps to rein in what they view as an overreaching federal apparatus.
Opponents, however, warn that the relentless turnover and loss of experienced staff threaten to hollow out the IRS and undermine its ability to serve the public. With tax season looming and millions of Americans depending on timely refunds, some worry that the agency may be ill-equipped to handle its workload. As one Democratic senator put it during Long’s confirmation hearings, “We need leaders who understand the complexities of our tax system, not political appointees with no relevant experience.”
For now, the agency’s future remains in flux. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting commissioner while the Trump administration searches for a permanent replacement. Whether the next appointee will bring stability or further upheaval is anyone’s guess. What’s clear is that the IRS, a bedrock institution of American government, is facing a period of profound uncertainty—one that will test its resilience and adaptability in the months to come.
As the dust settles on Billy Long’s fleeting tenure and the administration charts its next move, all eyes are on the IRS and its ability to weather the storm. With the stakes so high and the challenges so great, the coming weeks promise to be anything but dull for the nation’s tax collectors.
