The Trump administration is once again making changes at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in naming yet another acting commissioner to lead the agency on Trump's watch.
According to the Daily Caller, former Republican lawmaker Billy Long, who was the most recent acting director of the agency, is no longer in the position, as he has been named the ambassador to Iceland.
Long had only been on the job for two months before being replaced, marking yet another shakeup at the agency.
Trump named Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to step in to lead the agency until a more permanent IRS leader is found. A senior White House official confirmed the changes to multiple news outlets.
It wasn't exactly clear why Long was not only taken out of the IRS leadership spot but also given a high-profile ambassadorship.
Bessent will be the sixth acting director of the IRS, setting a new record in a sense, as the agency hasn't seen that many heads in the first year of a president's new term in a very long time.
Long released a statement on his new job as ambassador to Iceland, thanking Trump for the confidence in assuming the role and for the opportunity to do it.
“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!” Long wrote.
“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!” - Billy Long
— Billy Long (@auctnr1) August 8, 2025
The Daily Caller noted:
Long is a former auctioneer who served in the House for more than a decade representing Missouri’s 7th Congressional District beginning in 2011. He sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS while serving in Congress.
Users across social media speculated on why all of a sudden Long is no longer leading the agency. Many wished him well.
"Billy, I met you in Missouri when you told me how to pronounce Lebanon in MO! I wish you and your wife the very very best and I hope your children are still doing exceptionally well!" one X user wrote.
Another X user wrote, "Good luck. Was hoping that you were going to bring some needed changes to the IRS, would have liked to see what your leadership might bring about."
It'll be interesting to see who the Trump administration formally selects for the position in the future.
