Donald Trump is removing Billy Long as the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, and the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, will temporarily serve as acting commissioner for the president, a White House official and a source familiar with the matter said to Reuters on Friday.
The New York Times first reported the news about Long, a former congressman from Missouri. He was expected to be nominated for an Iceland ambassador post, according to NBC News.
A treasury spokesperson declined to comment.
Long was sworn in as the 51st commissioner of the IRS in June – meaning he served as IRS chief for less than two months – with his term meant to run through November 2027.
He leaves after new substantial tariffs from Trump took effect and after the president signed into law a number of tax cuts and tax code changes.
Under the Trump administration, the IRS also absorbed numerous job cuts implemented by the so-called “department of government efficiency”(Doge), which was temporarily headed by the billionaire Elon Musk.
In a message posted on the social media platform X, Long said it was an “honor to serve my friend president Trump”.
“I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long added. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”
Long on X also made a joke about calling Trump and asking to join Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) like the actor Dean Cain announced he had on Wednesday.
“I guess he thought I said Iceland?” Long wrote. “Oh well.”
Reuters contributed reporting
