Trump scores major win as Senate installs IRS critic to lead the agency
FOX News2 days
Senate Confirms Long as IRS Commissioner
Above: Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) appears during a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing May 20, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Long brings essential business experience and a commitment to transformational change that the IRS desperately needs. His 32 years running businesses and recent experience helping small businesses navigate IRS complexities make him uniquely qualified to modernize this bloated agency. He'll restore accountability and make the IRS work better for taxpayers.
Democratic narrative
Long's confirmation is a dangerous politicization of tax enforcement, putting someone with ties to tax fraud schemes in charge of the very agency meant to combat such crimes. Nominating someone with so many red flags shows Trump prioritizes loyalty over integrity. Long will make the IRS a weapon against political opponents while protecting wealthy tax cheats.