Trump Scores A Major Victory After Senate Confirms His Controversial Nominee For IRS Commissioner

The Senate confirmed President Trump’s choice of former Congressman Billy Long as the new IRS commissioner. Long, once a critic of the agency, is now tasked with leading it through a promised transformation.

Key Facts:

Former Rep. Billy Long was confirmed as IRS commissioner in a 53-44 party-line vote.
Long replaces acting commissioner Michael Faulkender, who is also deputy Treasury secretary.
Long previously advocated for abolishing the IRS and replacing it with a national sales tax.
He faced tough questions over his support of tax credits and past opposition to the agency.
This marks the fifth leadership change at the IRS since the start of the year.

The Rest of The Story:

Billy Long, a former House member and auctioneer, has officially become the next commissioner of the IRS following Senate confirmation.

Long, who represented Missouri’s 7th District from 2011 to 2013, enters the role after serving during a time when he openly supported efforts to abolish the agency he now leads.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Democrats pressed Long on past legislative support for eliminating the IRS in favor of a national sales tax.

They also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest over his support for specific tax credits.

In response, Long stated he was “ready to make real, transformational change to an agency that needs it more than any other.”

Long replaces Michael Faulkender, who was serving as acting commissioner while also fulfilling duties as deputy Treasury secretary.

The IRS has faced cuts and restructuring under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), making Long’s leadership role even more pivotal.

🚨 JUST IN: The US Senate has just CONFIRMED Billy Long to be Trump’s IRS Commissioner

Billy Long has REPEATEDLY sponsored legislation in Congress to abolish the IRS

Not to mention he’s an auctioneer, and made one of the best jokes ever on the House floor 😆👇🏻
h/t @BehizyTweets pic.twitter.com/t111LTaq4B

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 12, 2025

Commentary:

This confirmation is a win for the White House and those who believe the IRS is in dire need of reform.

Billy Long may have a controversial history with the agency, but that may be exactly what qualifies him to lead it.

Reform often requires insiders who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo—and Long fits that mold.

Regardless of his prior views, Long’s confirmation shows that the President should be able to install the people he trusts into executive branch leadership roles.

It is reasonable to expect ideological alignment between the President and agency heads.

If voters wanted a different direction, they had their say at the ballot box.

The Senate’s role is not to impose its own agenda but to determine if a nominee is fit for duty.

Unless a candidate is truly unqualified or unethical, the benefit of the doubt should go to the President’s team.

With five commissioners already this year, the IRS desperately needs stability.

Long could be the figure to bring it.

If he follows through on his promises, he may shift the agency from a bloated bureaucracy into something leaner, more effective, and more accountable to taxpayers.

We’re hopeful that his tenure results in reforms that return power and transparency back to the people—starting with a tax code that serves the citizen, not the bureaucracy.

The Bottom Line:

Billy Long’s confirmation as IRS commissioner sets the stage for sweeping changes within the tax agency.

Backed by President Trump and aligned with his broader goals, Long brings a reform-minded approach to a bureaucracy that many feel has long gone unchecked.

His leadership could mark a turning point in how the IRS serves the American public.