Trump fired IRS Commissioner Billy Long after just two months on the job. No warning. No explanation. Just gone.
“President Donald Trump has asked Billy Long to step down as head of the Internal Revenue Service, ending the commissioner’s tenure just two months after he was confirmed for the post.” https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/08/trump-irs-commissioner-billy-long-fired/85581402007/
Long’s replacement is Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He will serve as acting IRS commissioner, making history.
“Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting interim IRS commissioner until a replacement is found.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/08/trump-irs-commissioner-billy-long-fired/85581402007/
This is the first time a sitting Treasury Secretary has run the IRS at the same time. There is no precedent or clear protocol. This move merges the Treasury’s fiscal policy with the IRS’s enforcement role, two functions usually kept separate to avoid conflicts of interest. So far, no watchdog groups have raised concerns about how this might affect tax fairness or political influence over the IRS.
Long’s exit was not a firing but a swap. He is being sent to Iceland as U.S. ambassador.
“Long announced on X that he will be nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland.” https://ijr.com/trump-fires-irs-commissioner-bessent-named-acting-head/
He once tried to abolish the IRS. Then he ran it. Now he is gone.
Officials remain silent about why Trump pulled the plug so quickly. The Senate has yet to challenge Bessent’s dual role. The IRS leadership has changed seven times in eight months. Meanwhile, the tax laws stay the same. The turmoil shows the politics behind the scenes.
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