Trump nominates former Rep. Billy Long to head the IRS

“Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a business and tax advisor, helping small businesses navigate the complexities of complying with IRS rules and regulations,” Trump added.

Trump’s nomination of Long signals his intention to fire current IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel – who was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2022 – before his term expires in 2027, as Republicans consider using much of the agency’s funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to be deleted.

There is “the Republican mandate from the people and the voters that we have to undo as much of this as possible,” House Ways and Means Committee member Kevin Hern of Oklahoma said Wednesday.

He attended the University of Missouri for a long time before dropping out to become an auctioneer. He owned Billy Long Auctions and also worked as a talk radio show host before serving in Congress for twelve years.

“Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own real estate business and is one of the leading auctioneers in the country,” Trump said. “He then served twelve years in Congress because he believed it was important for his constituents to have a representative who would sign the front of a check!”

In 2022, Long unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat. Trump did not support him and he lost in the Republican primary to current Senator Eric Schmitt.

“I have known Billy since 2011. He is an extremely hard worker and is respected by everyone, especially those who know him in Congress,” Trump said Wednesday.

“Taxpayers and the wonderful people at the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate “people person” who is highly regarded on both sides of the aisle.”