IRS Commissioner Billy Long to Depart, With Bessent Now Acting Head

Billy Long on Capitol Hill in Washington in April. — Billy Long on Capitol Hill in Washington in April.
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

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By Hadriana Lowenkron

August 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM UTC

Updated on

August 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM UTC

President Donald Trump removed former congressman Billy Long as Internal Revenue Service commissioner after less than two months on the job, throwing the leadership of the tax agency once again into turmoil.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting commissioner until a permanent replacement is named, a White House official said Friday, describing the changes on the condition of anonymity.