Trump Removes IRS Commissioner Billy Long Just Weeks After Confirmation: Bessent Named Acting Head- In a surprising political shakeup, President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long as IRS Commissioner, less than two months after his Senate confirmation, and named Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as the new acting head of the Internal Revenue Service. The decision has sent ripples through Washington, raising questions about the direction of U.S. tax policy and leadership stability at the nation’s top tax agency.

Billy Long removed as IRS Commissioner just 54 days into the role

Billy Long, a former Republican Congressman from Missouri, was confirmed by the Senate on June 12, 2025, with a narrow 53–44 vote and officially sworn in on June 16, 2025. His tenure, however, was cut short on August 8, just 54 days later. The White House has not issued a detailed explanation for his sudden removal, but insiders suggest a strategic reassignment could be in the works.

According to reports from Bloomberg, CBS News, and Reuters, Long is now being considered for an ambassadorial role, although no specific country or timeline has been announced.

Scott Bessent steps in as acting IRS Commissioner

Scott Bessent, the current Treasury Secretary and a close ally of President Trump, was named acting IRS Commissioner immediately after Long’s dismissal. Bessent will lead the agency temporarily while the Trump administration considers a permanent replacement.

Known for his financial acumen and leadership in global investment firms, Bessent’s appointment could signal a shift toward more aggressive tax enforcement and modernization efforts inside the IRS. His temporary elevation also consolidates further financial power under the Treasury Department, as he continues to serve as Treasury Secretary while overseeing the IRS.

Trump administration shakes up IRS leadership amid ongoing tax reform efforts

This abrupt reshuffling comes at a time when the Trump administration is pushing forward with ambitious tax policy reforms and intensifying scrutiny on high-net-worth individuals and corporate tax practices. With the 2025 fiscal year underway, the White House is also under pressure to maximize IRS efficiency and increase federal revenue collection without triggering political backlash.

The move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to place trusted insiders in top federal roles, ensuring alignment with his second-term economic agenda.

What’s next for Billy Long? Likely headed for a diplomatic role

While Long’s removal from the IRS may appear abrupt, multiple sources, including Politico and the Associated Press, indicate that he is being tapped for a diplomatic post, most likely as U.S. Ambassador to an undisclosed nation. Such a transition would not be unusual, especially considering Long’s long-standing loyalty to Trump and foreign policy interests in key strategic regions.

Though no official nomination has been announced, several Senate aides say a confirmation process for a new ambassadorial appointment could begin as early as this fall.

What this means for taxpayers and federal policy

With Bessent temporarily in charge of the IRS, the coming months could bring operational changes at the agency, particularly around digital infrastructure, audits, and taxpayer services. As Treasury Secretary, Bessent has championed modernization of financial systems and may now extend that vision to tax administration.

Meanwhile, the sudden removal of a sitting IRS Commissioner so soon after confirmation underscores how volatile and fast-moving federal leadership decisions have become under the Trump presidency.

A highly unusual transition signals deeper political recalibration

Such a rapid firing—just weeks into a six-year IRS Commissioner term—remains unprecedented in recent U.S. history. The move may reflect growing urgency within the White House to install leaders with tighter alignment to President Trump’s evolving economic and international strategy.

It also adds to a broader pattern of personnel shifts across multiple federal departments as Trump solidifies his executive team heading into the second half of his term.

Key takeaways: What you should know

• Billy Long was removed as IRS Commissioner on August 8, 2025, after only 54 days in the role.
  
  
• Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, has been named acting IRS Commissioner.
  
  
• Long is expected to be nominated for an ambassadorial post, though details remain undisclosed.
  
  
• The shakeup is part of a broader White House strategy to reinforce tax policy control and executive alignment.
  
  
• IRS operations may temporarily shift under Bessent’s dual leadership, focusing on modernization and efficiency.

As the Trump administration continues to reshape its federal leadership team, the sudden removal of Billy Long and the appointment of Scott Bessent as acting head of the IRS mark a pivotal shift in the administration’s strategy to consolidate control over key financial institutions. This move not only underscores President Trump’s intent to install loyalists in critical roles but also signals a more aggressive push toward tax enforcement, institutional modernization, and fiscal realignment ahead of upcoming legislative battles. With Bessent now overseeing both the Treasury and the IRS, the White House is poised to drive its economic agenda with tighter command, setting the stage for significant policy developments in the months ahead.

FAQs:

Q1: Why did President Trump remove Billy Long as IRS Commissioner?
Billy Long was removed due to controversy over his qualifications and past financial ties.

Q2: Who is now the Acting IRS Commissioner after Billy Long’s exit?
Scott Bessent has been named Acting IRS Commissioner by the Trump administration.