Billy Long Is Now IRS Commissioner (June 12, 2025)—But the Path to His Swearing-In Tells a Bigger Story
- Heath Vo
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 30
On June 12, 2025, Billy Long—former congressman, auctioneer, and longtime critic of the IRS—was confirmed as the 51st Commissioner of Internal Revenue. That sentence alone would be enough to shock tax professionals, civil servants, and policy wonks. But Long’s appointment didn’t come in a vacuum.
It came after months of leadership turmoil, multiple acting commissioners, and deep uncertainty within the agency. To understand what Long inherits—and why IRS staff are both anxious and skeptical—you have to understand who led the agency before him, why they left, and how that churn affected morale across all levels.
What also happened on June 12, 2025?
Air India Boeing 787 Disaster
On June 12, Air India Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—crashed in Ahmedabad moments after taking off for London Gatwick. Of the 242 people aboard, only one survived, with over 39 fatalities reported on the ground amid the plane striking a medical-college hostel.
This tragic event marked the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787, sparking immediate global concern over airline safety practices and Boeing's operational oversight.
IAEA Declares Iran Non‑Compliant
On the same day, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board determined that Iran was in breach of its nuclear non‑proliferation safeguards for the first time in nearly twenty years. The resolution, backed by key U.S. allies and opposed by Russia and China, raised alarms about potential escalation and referral to the U.N. Security Council.
Why These Events Drowned Out IRS News
Global Shock Factor – The Air India crash, especially involving a new airliner model, commanded worldwide media attention and public grief.
Geopolitical Fallout – Iran’s non‑compliance finding triggered serious diplomatic maneuvering and heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Timing – Both occurred on June 12, the same day the Senate confirmed Billy Long — so the IRS news was displaced by far-larger international headlines.
What It Meant for IRS Coverage
Mainstream outlets dedicated front-page space to the plane disaster and nuclear news. Coverage of IRS leadership change appeared much smaller, often mentioned only in passing sections.
Public attention remained fixed on aviation safety and nuclear diplomacy, leaving little bandwidth for domestic administrative affairs.
Billy Long’s confirmation got minimal attention beyond niche tax policy publications, effectively “buried” in mainstream news flow.
Anywho. . . let’s get back to the point. It is unfortunate that the media didn’t cover the 3rd disaster – the confirmation of one Billy Long.
Why Does the IRS Have a Presidential Appointee?
The position of IRS Commissioner is a five-year presidential appointment, subject to Senate confirmation. Though the IRS is designed to be nonpartisan, this structure ensures alignment with executive branch priorities—particularly in setting enforcement tone, customer service strategy, and modernization goals.
When stable, this system works. But in 2025, it’s been anything but.
A Tumultuous Parade of Acting Commissioners
1. Doug O’Donnell
Tenure: January–February 2025
Background: 40-year IRS veteran, former Deputy Commissioner for Services & Enforcement
Why he left: Retired amid tensions over an interagency data-sharing agreement and administrative burnout
Doug O’Donnell was beloved inside the IRS. Widely respected across departments, he was seen as a steady hand—deeply knowledgeable, even-keeled, and someone who had earned his stripes over decades. His retirement was a loss, not just of institutional knowledge, but of morale. I I personally worked for Doug and with Doug - he understood the workforce. Hell he started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. This guy every year would send out an email that he was planning on visiting the graves at Arlington Cemetery and offer to visit employees’ fallen loved ones and take a picture of the grave. Talk about a stand-up guy.
2. Melanie Krause
Tenure: February–April 2025
Background: Chief Operating Officer, former data & analytics lead
Why she left: Resigned in protest after being sidelined on a controversial DHS/ICE tax-data-sharing decision
Krause’s departure sent shockwaves through the agency. Her leadership in modernization efforts was well-regarded, and her resignation—after learning of a signed policy decision through the press—undermined staff trust in upper leadership and Treasury. I personally worked alongside Melanie during a time in COVID when tractor trailers were full of mail at the Kansas City Service Center. She shredded the suit and put on the sweats to open mail, remove staples, and work alongside on the production floor for the United States Taxpayers. She is a stand-up person.
3. Gary Shapley
Tenure: A few days in April 2025 (approximately three days…. 72 hours)
Background: IRS Criminal Investigation agent and political whistleblower
Why he left: Removed after internal conflict and concerns over qualifications
Shapley’s appointment was stunning. Known only for whistleblowing in the Hunter Biden case, Shapley had no executive experience and no background in IRS operations or tax administration. His selection was viewed by many staff as overtly political. He lasted less than a week. Let's also take a moment to properly give him some sympathy.
4. Michael Faulkender
Tenure: April–June 2025
Background: Treasury Deputy Secretary
Why he left: Stepped aside following Long’s confirmation
Faulkender’s tenure was stable but short-lived. A Treasury official, he helped prepare the agency for Long’s arrival but was never seen as a permanent solution.
The Fallout: What This Did to IRS Morale
By the time Long arrived, the IRS workforce had weathered four acting commissioners in five months. This whiplash in leadership left frontline employees disoriented, disengaged, and uncertain about the future. Modernization projects stalled. Morale plummeted. Internal surveys from April 2025
showed an all-time low in confidence in senior leadership—particularly after Krause’s resignation and Shapley’s brief, politically charged tenure.
Doug O’Donnell’s exit hit especially hard. He was respected across departments and had a unique ability to unify enforcement, service, and support divisions. His departure symbolized the end of continuity, and none of the interim leaders who followed—especially not Shapley—filled the vacuum he left behind.
And Then Came Billy Long
Billy Long was confirmed on June 12, 2025. A former auctioneer and radio host turned Missouri congressman, Long spent years bashing the IRS and even supported legislation to abolish it in favor of a national sales tax.
His record includes:
Zero IRS or tax administration experience
Promotion of third-party ERC (Employee Retention Credit) schemes now under IRS scrutiny
Alleged involvement in a bribery scandal as “Representative #1” in federal court documents
Questionable fundraising immediately following his nomination to cover campaign debt
“Howdy, Folks”: Long’s Culture Message
Despite his controversial past, Long has leaned into populism as his leadership style. On day one, he told employees:
“Howdy folks… you have a friend in the Commissioner’s office.”
He’s called for unity, a culture reset (hmmm....), and a “friendlier IRS”—for both employees and taxpayers. He plans to spend his first 90 days listening to staff and developing a new culture blueprint. (. . . more pointless town halls).To some, that sounds refreshing. To others, it’s a tone-deaf branding exercise from a man who once wanted the agency dismantled. Ding. Ding.
Final Thoughts: From CI and Chaos to Charm and Controversy
The IRS’s recent leadership saga—from the beloved Doug O’Donnell to whistleblower Gary Shapley, and now to Billy Long—has reshaped the agency’s internal landscape. What employees want is stable, informed leadership grounded in experience and accountability. What they’ve gotten instead is politics, patchwork, and now, a populist.
Whether Long can stabilize morale, rebuild trust, and steer the agency through modernization and enforcement pressure remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: IRS employees and more importantly, the public need more than “howdy folks” to restore confidence.
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