President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long from his post as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), just two months after Long was confirmed to the position, according to multiple reports from CNN and NBC News. In a whirlwind of leadership changes that has left the agency reeling, Trump has now tapped Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to serve as acting head of the IRS while the administration searches for a permanent replacement.
The news, first reported by The New York Times and confirmed by CNN, caps off an extraordinary period of instability for the IRS. Since Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, the agency has cycled through seven different leaders—a level of turnover unprecedented in its history. The rapid-fire changes at the top have come amid broader upheaval, including significant workforce reductions and shifting policy priorities.
Billy Long, a former Republican congressman, was an unexpected choice to lead the IRS, given his limited experience with tax administration and his prior support for abolishing the agency altogether. His appointment in June 2025 raised eyebrows across Washington, particularly as he had ties to a controversial, fraud-riddled tax credit program. Despite these concerns, Long’s time at the helm was marked by a gregarious and informal leadership style. According to CNN, he was known for sending out lighthearted, company-wide emails to IRS employees, sometimes encouraging them to leave work early on Fridays.
In what turned out to be his final message to staff, Long wrote, “With this being Thursday before another FriYay, please enjoy a 70-minute early exit tomorrow. That way you’ll be well rested for my 70th birthday on Monday.” He signed off the note with, “Call Me Billy,” reflecting his approachable persona. The message, sent on August 7, 2025, gave employees a brief respite ahead of his departure and his milestone birthday on August 11.
Long did not directly address his removal from the IRS in public statements, but he did announce his next move on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I’m excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland.” This aligns with information from CNN, which reported that Trump is expected to nominate Long for the ambassadorship, a move that three sources familiar with the matter confirmed.
In the wake of Long’s ouster, Scott Bessent steps in as acting commissioner. According to White House officials cited by CNN, Bessent will hold the role while the administration seeks a longer-term appointment. The IRS itself declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Treasury Department, which did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.
The revolving door at the IRS has been spinning rapidly since Trump returned to the White House. The Biden-appointed and Senate-confirmed commissioner, Danny Werfel, resigned when Trump took office, even though his statutory five-year term was still active. Werfel was replaced by Doug O’Donnell, a career official who retired in February 2025 after reportedly clashing with Trump appointees over policy issues.
Following O’Donnell’s abrupt exit, Melanie Krause, another seasoned IRS official, took over as acting commissioner. However, she resigned in April 2025 after Trump allies pushed through a controversial deal to share sensitive taxpayer data with immigration enforcement agencies. The policy shift was met with internal resistance and external scrutiny, further destabilizing the agency’s leadership ranks.
Next in line was Gary Shapley, a career IRS agent best known for his public allegations that the Justice Department had gone easy on Hunter Biden during a tax investigation. Shapley’s appointment as acting commissioner was short-lived, as he was ousted within days due to opposition from Scott Bessent, then Treasury Secretary. Michael Faulkender, Bessent’s ally and the Deputy Treasury Secretary, briefly took the reins before Long’s confirmation in June 2025.
The relentless turnover has not been limited to the commissioner’s office. The IRS as a whole has experienced significant attrition under Trump’s administration. According to a July 2025 inspector general report cited by CNN, the agency lost 25% of its workforce, the result of government-wide budget cuts and mass buyouts. This exodus of experienced personnel has complicated efforts to maintain continuity and fulfill the IRS’s core mission of tax collection and enforcement.
Observers from across the political spectrum have weighed in on the turmoil. Some supporters of President Trump argue that the shake-up was necessary to root out what they see as entrenched bureaucratic resistance and to align the agency more closely with the administration’s priorities. Others, however, warn that the constant turnover and loss of institutional knowledge risk undermining the IRS’s effectiveness at a time when tax policy and enforcement are under heightened public scrutiny.
Long’s brief tenure was not without its quirks. His informal leadership style, exemplified by his “FriYay” emails and willingness to share personal anecdotes—like lessons from a fraternity brother who runs the parent company of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell—was a marked departure from the buttoned-up approach of previous commissioners. In his final email, Long spoke of “building a new culture at the IRS,” though it remains unclear how much of that vision will persist under new leadership.
For many inside the IRS, the rapid changes have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. The agency, already under pressure from complex tax law changes and increased demands for enforcement, now faces the additional challenge of adapting to yet another new leader. As Scott Bessent assumes the acting commissioner role, all eyes will be on how he steers the agency through this turbulent period—and whether a permanent commissioner can bring some much-needed stability.
Meanwhile, Long’s new diplomatic assignment in Iceland marks yet another twist in a political career that has taken him from Congress to the top of the tax agency and now to international service. The White House has not yet announced when Long will formally begin his ambassadorship, but his departure from the IRS is already sending ripples through Washington and beyond.
With the IRS’s future direction hanging in the balance, policymakers, taxpayers, and agency staff alike are watching closely. The coming months will test whether the agency can regain its footing—or whether the cycle of upheaval will continue to define its trajectory.
