Trump replaces IRS commissioner Billy Long with Scott Bessent after two months

President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long from his position as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner, just two months after his confirmation to the role. According to multiple sources, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will assume the acting IRS commissioner position until a permanent replacement is appointed [1][2]. Long, a former U.S. Representative from Missouri, was sworn in on June 16, 2025, and was expected to serve through November 2027. His abrupt removal highlights a significant and early shift in the administration’s economic leadership strategy [5][6].

The circumstances surrounding Long’s departure remain unclear. While the IRS reported improved tax collection efficiency and a 5% increase in receipts compared to the previous fiscal year [2], no official explanation has been provided by the administration for his removal. A White House official confirmed Bessent’s appointment but did not elaborate on the rationale [7]. Long, a conservative appointee aligned with the administration’s political goals, is now among the shortest-serving IRS commissioners in recent history [8][9].

Bessent, who has served as Treasury Secretary, is now expected to manage the IRS in an acting capacity. His transition underscores the administration’s apparent preference for consolidating key economic decision-making within the Treasury Department. However, Bessent’s lack of prior IRS experience may pose challenges in navigating the agency’s complex regulatory and administrative responsibilities [10].

The leadership change has not immediately affected financial or cryptocurrency markets, with no significant disruptions observed in major assets or crypto benchmarks [1]. Analysts suggest that while IRS leadership changes can sometimes influence regulatory expectations, the lack of confirmation from official channels has limited market reactions. The administration’s broader pattern of reshuffling economic and regulatory roles continues, reflecting its efforts to shape policy in alignment with its economic agenda [5].

Despite the reported change, neither the IRS nor Treasury Department has issued formal statements or updates to confirm the developments, leaving the situation open to interpretation [2]. As of now, both financial and regulatory stakeholders are awaiting further clarification and official communication before assessing potential long-term implications.

Sources:

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/economics/trump-replaces-irs-chief-with-bessent-rcna223965

[2] https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-removing-irs-commissioner-billy-long-serving-just-two-months-role

[3] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/trump-fires-irs-commissioner-bessent-named-acting-head.html

[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/us/politics/trump-billy-long-irs-commissioner.html

[5] https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-ousts-billy-long-handpicked-irs-director-just-53-days-job-rcna223951

[6] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-redistricting-tariffs-immigration-gaza-russia-live-updates-rcna222785

[7] https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/president-trump/trump-administration-tariffs-gaza-israel-immigration-august-08-2025-live-updates/3883730/

[8] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/08/trump-irs-commissioner-billy-long-fired/85581402007/

[9] https://www.kplctv.com/2025/08/08/trump-removes-billy-long-irs-commissioner-less-than-2-months-after-his-confirmation/

[10] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-removes-billy-long-irs-193112730.html