Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as interim commissioner until Long’s replacement is found, a White House official confirmed to the Washington Examiner. A reason for Long’s removal so soon into his term wasn’t given.
Analysts noted that Long was a unique choice for IRS commissioner, given his relative inexperience in the field. He served as a real estate broker for 32 years and an auctioneer for 31 years before being elected to Congress as representative for Missouri, a position he held from 2011 to 2023.
His biography on the IRS website listed his only other relevant experience regarding the IRS as a stint as a morning talk show host from 1999 to 2006, “hosting a show on which the IRS was always a hot topic.”
During his time in Congress, he supported legislation to abolish the IRS altogether. After leaving Congress, he lobbied for the controversial Employee Retention Credit, a benefit meant to prevent layoffs during the pandemic. The IRS warned that the program was rife with fraud.
Despite concerns over his experience, Long was easily approved in the Senate in a 53-44 vote.
SENATE CONFIRMS BILLY LONG AS IRS COMMISSIONER
Long appeared unaware that his firing was imminent. He emailed IRS staff on Thursday to let them off work early Friday in celebration of his birthday, according to the New York Times.
“Please enjoy a 70-minute early exit tomorrow. That way you’ll be rested for my 70th birthday on Monday!” he wrote.
