Former Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., was recently removed from his position as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner by President Donald Trump, who has temporarily appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to oversee the agency. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed the shift to NBC News. Long was sworn in as commissioner just last June, making his quick exit particularly notable.
This transition occurs shortly after Trump implemented extensive new tariffs and just one month following the president’s signing of significant tax cuts and modifications to the tax code. In a text message to NBC News, Long expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “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. I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Bessent’s appointment marks the sixth person to manage the IRS under Trump’s administration this year. Prior to Long, Danny Werfel, nominated by President Joe Biden, fulfilled the role until Trump’s inauguration in January. Bessent will face various challenges in his new responsibilities, including managing ongoing trade negotiations with major partners like China, Canada, and Mexico. He is also involved in the critical search for the next Federal Reserve chair, highlighting the multifaceted nature of his role within the Treasury Department.
The IRS has encountered budget cuts under the Trump administration, part of a broader initiative led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A spokesperson for the Treasury Department declined further comment on the changes.
Before taking the helm at the IRS, Long served as a congressman in Missouri from 2011 until 2023 and also worked previously as an auctioneer. Just a day before his dismissal, Long sent an email to IRS employees, humorously inviting them to leave an hour early for his upcoming 70th birthday celebration, as reported by The New York Times.
Trump’s administration continues to reshape federal revenue collection, significantly increasing tariff revenue. This year alone, U.S. businesses have paid over $100 billion in customs duties, a clear consequence of the new import taxes. Although Trump has indicated plans for an “external revenue service” to handle these tariffs, the responsibilities remain with the Treasury Department and Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security.
In a contentious move, the president recently signed into law a wide-ranging bill, described as “big and beautiful,” which includes substantial tax cuts and spending initiatives. This legislation, passed with the help of Vice President JD Vance’s tiebreaker vote, extends previous tax cuts enacted in 2017 while temporarily reducing taxes on tips and overtime pay and allowing for deductions on certain auto loan interest payments. Furthermore, it allocates hundreds of billions of dollars towards military spending and stretches Trump’s plans for mass deportation.
Debates within the Republican party have surfaced regarding cuts to federal safety net programs and adjustments to the deduction cap on state and local taxes (SALT). The sweeping legislation is anticipated to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next decade while potentially leading to more than 11 million Americans losing their health insurance due to Medicaid cuts.
This rapidly evolving political landscape underscores the ongoing challenges within the administration as it navigates complex tax and revenue policies while also addressing domestic spending priorities.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/trump-fires-irs-commissioner-bessent-named-acting-head.html
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Publish Date: 2025-08-09 02:24:00
