President Donald Trump has removed IRS Commissioner Billy Long just two months after his confirmation and has temporarily appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to lead the agency, according to sources familiar with the decision.
The surprise leadership shake-up comes on the heels of Trump’s newly enacted tariffs and sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code, which were signed into law last month. Long confirmed his departure in a text message to NBC News on Friday.
“It is an honor to serve my friend President Trump, and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long said. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Long’s tenure marks one of the shortest in modern IRS history. He was sworn in as commissioner in June and now becomes the latest in a string of officials to cycle through the top post at the IRS, which has had six leaders in 2025 alone. His predecessor, Danny Werfel, had been appointed by President Joe Biden and served until Trump’s second inauguration in January.
Bessent Takes the Helm — Temporarily
Bessent’s temporary role atop the IRS adds to his already full portfolio at Treasury. In addition to overseeing trade negotiations with China, Mexico, Canada, and other nations amid Trump’s escalating tariff wars, Bessent is also leading the search for the next Federal Reserve chair.
A Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the leadership change.
The IRS, which operates under the Treasury Department, has faced deep staffing and budget cuts under the Trump administration as part of a broader government streamlining initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
An Unconventional Exit
Long, a former congressman from Missouri and auctioneer, offered an unconventional farewell during his final hours in office. According to The New York Times, he emailed IRS employees encouraging them to “enjoy a 70-minute early exit tomorrow” in honor of his upcoming 70th birthday.
The White House has not announced a permanent replacement for Long.
Reshaping Revenue Collection
The leadership change comes amid a broader reconfiguration of how the federal government collects revenue. In addition to traditional taxes, the U.S. is now collecting billions of dollars each month in customs duties as a result of Trump’s newly implemented import tariffs.
Since January, importers — including large corporations and small businesses — have paid more than $100 billion in tariffs, according to Treasury data.
Trump has floated the idea of creating an “external revenue service” to manage this stream of tariff income, though for now, revenue collection duties remain with the Treasury Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a division of the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Long’s removal comes just weeks after Trump signed into law what he called his “big, beautiful bill” — a sweeping package of tax cuts, spending boosts, and service reductions. The legislation was passed in the Senate with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance.
Key elements of the bill include:
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Extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
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Temporary tax relief on tips and overtime pay
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New auto loan interest deductions
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Expanded military spending
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Billions allocated toward mass deportation initiatives
The bill also sparked intra-party debate over cuts to federal safety net programs and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.
According to independent projections, the law is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade and result in over 11 million people losing health insurance coverage, primarily due to Medicaid reductions and related provisions.
While supporters praise the bill as a catalyst for economic growth and national security, critics warn it could have long-term consequences for low-income Americans and the federal deficit.
The Trump administration has not indicated when a permanent IRS commissioner will be nominated.
