President Trump reassigns IRS chief Billy Long to Iceland role

President Trump just reshuffled the deck at the IRS with a move that’s raising eyebrows.

In a surprising turn of events, Trump has ousted Billy Long from his post as IRS commissioner after a mere two months, redirecting him to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Iceland while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent steps in as acting commissioner.

Let’s rewind to the start of Long’s journey at the IRS, which kicked off with his Senate confirmation on June 12, 2025, in a tight 53-44 party-line vote.

From Missouri Rep to IRS Head

Before taking the IRS helm, Long was a familiar face in Congress, representing Missouri’s 7th district with a track record of pushing to scrap the very agency he’d later lead.

Sworn in as the 51st IRS commissioner on June 16, 2025, Long stepped into a role he once wanted to abolish, having supported legislation to replace income taxes with a national sales tax.

His tenure was meant to last until November 2027, but apparently, plans change faster than a progressive policy flip-flop.

Shortest IRS Stint in Recent Memory

Long became the fifth IRS commissioner this year alone, replacing acting commissioner Michael Faulkender, who juggled the role alongside his duties as deputy Treasury secretary.

At his swearing-in, Long told IRS staff, “In my first 90 days, I plan to ask you, my employee partners, to help me develop a new culture here.” Well, that cultural overhaul got a hard stop with this abrupt exit.

Instead of reshaping the IRS, Long now heads to Iceland, announcing on X, “It is a honor to serve my friend President Trump.”

Long’s Pivot to Diplomatic Duties

He added on X, “I am thrilled to answer his call to service.” Thrilled or not, this pivot from tax enforcer to diplomat feels like a plot twist nobody saw coming.

A U.S. Treasury spokesperson praised Long’s efforts, noting, “Treasury thanks Commissioner Long for his commitment to public service.” Commitment, sure, but one wonders if a longer stint might have yielded more than just enthusiasm.

The same spokesperson hinted at a future announcement, saying a new candidate will be named “at the appropriate time.” Until then, Scott Bessent holds the fort as acting commissioner, though Trump confirmed Bessent isn’t eyeing the Federal Reserve chair role.

Critics Pounce on Trump’s Decision

Not everyone’s cheering this move, as Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ronald Wyden, D-Ore., unleashed a sharp critique on Friday, stating, “In just a handful of months, Trump and his crew have already gutted taxpayer service.”

Wyden didn’t stop there, adding, “This is what Trump does—pick incompetent, unserious people for serious jobs.” While his words sting, one might counter that reshuffling talent to where it’s needed isn’t chaos—it’s strategy, even if the optics are messy.

Still, Long’s departure after such a brief tenure leaves questions about stability at the IRS, an agency already under scrutiny for its sprawling influence over American wallets. Taxpayers deserve consistency, not a revolving door of leadership. Turns out, even in government, actions have consequences—and sometimes, they come with a plane ticket to Reykjavik.