Billy Long was removed as IRS commissioner less than two months after confirmation, becoming the shortest-serving in history. Trump appointed him ambassador to Iceland amid IRS instability.
Billy Long has set a new record as the shortest-serving IRS commissioner in American history. President Donald Trump removed him from the post less than two months after his Senate confirmation.
“It is a 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!,” the former Missouri Congressman said.
Following his exit, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step in as acting IRS commissioner.
The White House did not give a direct explanation for Long’s dismissal. However, Long announced that Trump had appointed him as ambassador to Iceland.
His removal comes during a period of instability within the IRS. Since Trump began his second term, the agency has gone through four acting leaders before Long’s June confirmation. The IRS has also lost a quarter of its staff since the Department of Government Efficiency began its mission to cut 'waste, fraud and abuse'.
In his message to employees after taking office, Long outlined his plans for the first few months. However, his tenure ended before he could reach even 90 days in the role.
Long’s departure makes him the shortest-tenured Senate-confirmed IRS commissioner since the position was created in 1862. He assumed the role in June this year.
After his selection, Long told staff, “In my first 90 days I plan to ask you, my employee partners, to help me develop a new culture here. I’m big on culture, and I’m anxious to develop one that makes your lives and the taxpayers’ lives better.”
Long’s appointment was unusual, as he previously served in Congress from 2011 to 2023 and had sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS altogether. A former auctioneer, he had no experience in tax administration.
His confirmation faced opposition from Democrats over his ties to a firm that promoted a fraudulent pandemic-era tax break and over campaign donations he received after Trump nominated him.
After leaving Congress to run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2022, Long worked with a company distributing the employee retention tax credit, a program later shut down after then-IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel determined it was fraudulent.
