President Donald Trump IRS nominee Billy Long to lead the Internal Revenue Service following the resignation of acting director Melanie Krause. Krause stepped down as the administration moved to align the IRS with Homeland Security to help identify illegal immigrants using tax data. Long, a colorful figure with a background in real estate and auctioneering, is seen by supporters as a bold, unconventional choice.
Long’s nomination comes amid renewed scrutiny of the IRS’s history of targeting political opponents. On “The Drill Down” podcast, investigators highlighted past abuses under multiple administrations. From Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama, presidents have used the IRS to silence critics and undermine opposition. Obama’s IRS, under Lois Lerner, famously denied nonprofit status to conservative Tea Party groups while greenlighting liberal organizations.
Long’s critics point to his lack of experience leading a complex agency like the IRS. His qualifications include a brief tax training course, far from the typical background of a federal agency head. Still, Trump allies defend the pick, calling Long a “man of the people” with a populist streak. Long has floated the idea of dissolving the IRS altogether or replacing the current code with a flat or fair tax system.
The appointment follows recent controversy involving the Biden administration’s IRS. Journalist Matt Taibbi, who testified before Congress about Hunter Biden’s laptop, was visited by IRS agents shortly after. His property was seized and later returned without explanation. Many viewed the move as politically motivated intimidation.
Meanwhile, IRS oversight continues to raise questions about fairness. A ProPublica study revealed that conservative counties in the South and West are disproportionately audited compared to liberal regions. Despite requests, the IRS refuses to release the audit data, even under FOIA requests.
Adding fuel to the fire, one of Lerner’s former deputies, Holly Paz, still holds a top position at the IRS, overseeing audits of businesses worth over $10 million. Her past involvement in the Tea Party scandal drew congressional ire, yet she remains embedded in the agency’s leadership.
As tax policy remains a flashpoint in national debate, Billy Long’s confirmation process promises to be contentious. His nomination signals a major shift in direction, with Trump aiming to reshape the agency’s role and restore trust among taxpayers skeptical of IRS neutrality.
