Quick exit
President Donald Trump has made another big change at the IRS. Billy Long, who had been commissioner for less than two months, was removed from his post on Friday afternoon, according to a senior White House official. The official didn’t explain why Long was let go or when he would leave the agency.
To fill the gap, Trump has asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to step in as acting IRS director. Notably, Bessent will become Trump’s sixth IRS chief during his second term. The New York Times was first to report Long’s sudden exit.
Next stop: Iceland
Almost immediately after news of his firing, Long announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he will be nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland. “It is an honour to serve my friend President Trump,” Long wrote. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Long is no stranger to public service. Before joining the IRS, he served for over a decade in the U.S. House, representing Missouri’s 7th Congressional District starting in 2011. Fun fact: while in Congress, Long sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS altogether. And who could forget his famous auctioneering-style speech where he pretended to auction off the national debt?
Short but notable tenure
Long’s Senate confirmation came in mid-June with a party-line vote of 53 to 44. Trump had nominated him back in December 2024, praising Long as “an extremely hard worker, respected by all.” Despite the praise, Long’s time at the IRS barely lasted eight weeks.
An IRS spokesperson directed questions about the firing to the Treasury Department, leaving many to wonder about the behind-the-scenes drama.
Trump’s pattern of fast turnover
Long’s quick exit is part of a bigger trend. Senate Republicans have expressed frustration over repeated short-lived tenures in key Trump administration posts. Former CDC Director Susan Monarez lasted less than a month before being ousted after clashes with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) compared the rapid turnovers to a Spinal Tap concert, joking, “Every time we turn around, somebody’s blowing up. It’s just not very efficient.” Other GOP senators, including John Cornyn (R-Texas), have warned that the constant churn could make governing more challenging.
More departures
Long isn’t alone. Treasury Department officials, including Michael Faulkender, were removed after a short stint. Jared Isaacman saw his NASA nomination pulled during the confirmation process. Aaron Reitz left a key DOJ post only three months after confirmation to pursue a political bid in Texas.
Republicans argue the constant firings waste time and energy, especially with Democrats blocking many Trump nominees. Senate leaders are considering rule changes to confirm more nominees quickly, but not every position can be handled this way.
What It means
In the end, these shake-ups highlight both the president’s right to choose his team and the difficulties of maintaining stability in key government roles. As Trump continues reshaping his administration, Americans can expect more surprises in Washington—sometimes on very short notice.
For now, Scott Bessent is at the helm of the IRS, while Billy Long prepares for life as the next U.S. ambassador to Iceland. Whether this is the calm before another storm of departures remains to be seen.
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