President Donald Trump has asked Billy Long to step down as head of the Internal Revenue Service, ending the commissioner’s tenure just two months after he was confirmed for the post.
A White House official confirmed to USA TODAY Aug. 8 that Long will be removed from his position. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting interim commissioner until a replacement is found.
Long, a former Republican Congressman and loyal Trump supporter, is being tapped for an ambassadorship, the White House official said. The official did not say which country Long was being considered for.
Long previously represented Missouri in Congress.
Before he took office, Trump indicated he would nominate Long for IRS commissioner, saying in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, in December: “He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress.”
Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel resigned in January before Trump took office, three years before his term ended.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump to remove IRS commissioner, no replacement named
