President Donald Trump has removed Billy Long from his position as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commissioner after just two months in office. The dismissal followed a heated conflict between the White House and the IRS over the release of confidential taxpayer information to help locate undocumented immigrants. Long’s short tenure marks the briefest in the IRS’s 163-year history, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stepping in as acting commissioner.
The IRS and White House Clash
The rift between the IRS and the White House centered on the sharing of taxpayer data. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent the IRS a list of 40,000 names of individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. DHS requested the IRS to crosscheck the list with confidential taxpayer information to verify addresses. The IRS, however, could only verify a small percentage of the names, most of which had Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) provided by DHS.
IRS Resists Data Sharing
The IRS’s refusal to hand over confidential taxpayer information led to tensions within the administration. Despite an agreement between the Treasury Department and DHS to share data, Long resisted releasing any personal taxpayer information, citing taxpayer privacy rights. This resistance to comply with the administration’s priorities led to his removal after a mere two months in office.
Long’s Departure and New Role
Billy Long, a former Missouri congressman, announced his departure from the IRS and his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Iceland. Expressing gratitude for his time in service, Long humorously shared his excitement to join Iceland, adding, “I guess he thought I said Iceland?” referencing his transition from IRS commissioner to ambassador.
Controversy Over Privacy and Immigration
The controversy centers on the IRS’s statutory obligation to safeguard taxpayer information. Administration officials sought to use IRS data in the fight against illegal immigration, but the agency declined to provide this information, citing privacy concerns. Long’s refusal put him at odds with Trump’s immigration crackdown plans, which sought to leverage the IRS to locate undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
White House Denies Disagreement
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson rejected claims of a disagreement between the White House and the IRS. “Any absurd assertion other than everyone being aligned on the mission is simply false and totally fake news,” she said, emphasizing that the administration is working together to eliminate information silos.
IRS’s Impact on Illegal Immigrants
Despite being excluded from most federal benefits, undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. In 2022, they paid $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes. The IRS’s role in locating immigrants has sparked debate on balancing privacy rights with immigration enforcement.
Rising Tension Across Federal Agencies
The resignation of Billy Long comes amid broader tensions within federal agencies as Trump’s administration applies pressure to align departments with its political goals. These tensions have led to the firing of other officials, including the Bureau of Labor head, after the publication of an unfavorable job report.