Billy Long out as IRS commissioner after less than two months

[UpInArms]

Billy Long ended his brief tenure as IRS commissioner Friday, posting on X that President Donald Trump will nominate him to be ambassador to Iceland.

“It is a(n) honor to serve my friend President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long posted Friday on X. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”

A Treasury representative said Friday that the department thanked Long “for his commitment to public service and the American people” and added that “a new candidate for commissioner will be announced at the appropriate time.”

The Senate confirmed Long as commissioner on June 12.

…snip …

Long’s exit means the IRS will have its seventh, and probably eighth, acting or confirmed commissioner since January, when the previous confirmed commissioner, Danny Werfel, left. Four acting commissioners served — one as briefly as a few days — before Long was confirmed June 12. The leadership changes come as the IRS has cut 25,000 employees since February, or about 25% of its workforce.

… more at:

https://www.thetaxadviser.com/news/2025/aug/billy-long-out-as-irs-commissioner-after-less-than-two-months/

[MyOwnPeace]

1. Again - another 'example' of 'great' corporate 'leadership!'

[hatrack]

2. Great, another brain-dead redneck to "represent" America abroad . . .

I can hear the eye-rolling all the way from Reykjavik . . .

[Hugin]

3. Long wasn't weaponizing the IRS to the Retrumplicans satisfaction, eh?

Back to lamprey shopping. What an embarrassment. Eight since January.

[Xavier Breath]

4. Wow, he was in office just a little over five 'Scaramuccis.'

Sad.

[riversedge]

5. so now Billy gets a job as ambassador to Iceland. Quite the trade off.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Maddow Blog-Trump ousts Billy Long, his handpicked IRS director, after just 53 days on the job

The former congressman was confirmed to lead the tax agency in June. Less than two month later, he’s out, which is every bit as weird as it seems.

Billy Long lasted roughly five Scaramuccis as the IRS commissioner — becoming the sixth person to exit the office so far this year.

We don't know why, though it's notable that Trump has been eager to sic the IRS on his perceived political foes. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-08-08T19:54:38.340Z

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

Exactly three weeks ago, Donald Trump — who picked Long despite his complete lack of qualifications — held a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for the Missouri Republican in the Oval Office. It was a provocative move in its own right: Since Watergate, presidents from both parties have taken a hands-off attitude toward the IRS, treating it as an apolitical and largely independent agency. The incumbent president, in contrast, seemed eager to signal his control over the IRS.

Just 21 days after that White House event, Trump has apparently decided it is time for a new commissioner. The New York Times reported:

President Trump is removing Billy Long from his job leading the Internal Revenue Service just two months after he was confirmed as commissioner, according to four people familiar with the matter. Mr. Long, a former Republican congressman and staunch ally of Mr. Trump, is expected to be nominated to an ambassadorship, the people said.

......What’s more, The New York Times reported late last year that Long has a problematic record of peddling a pandemic-era tax credit that the IRS warned was “a magnet for fraud.” Long’s record was so controversial that Senate Democrats suggested he face a criminal investigation.

For his part, Long told NBC News he'll soon be nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland, which will also require Senate confirmation.

As for why the president, who's appeared eager to sic the IRS on his perceived political foes, decided to oust Long so quickly, the story is still coming into focus. For now, the motivation behind the developments are a mystery, though it’s unlikely to remain a mystery for long. Watch this space..

[UpInArms]

7. Thanks for the background info