President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for IRS Director raises eyebrows as he taps a former auctioneer with no formal tax industry experience.
At a Glance
- Trump intends to appoint ex-congressman Billy Long as IRS Director
- Long has 32 years of business experience in real estate and auctions
- The decision has drawn mixed reactions from conservatives and liberals
- Critics question Long’s lack of specialized knowledge in tax administration
- If confirmed, Long would oversee 85,000 employees and a $12 billion budget
Trump’s Unconventional IRS Pick
President-elect Donald Trump has once again stirred the political waters with his intention to appoint Billy Long, a former Missouri Congressman, as the next Director of the Internal Revenue Service. This decision marks a significant departure from traditional appointments, as Long’s background primarily lies in auctioneering and real estate rather than tax administration.
Trump’s endorsement of Long emphasizes his business acumen, stating, “32 years of experience running his own businesses in Real Estate and, as one of the premier Auctioneers in the Country.” This praise highlights Trump’s preference for non-traditional candidates with diverse business backgrounds to lead government agencies.
Long’s Qualifications and Challenges
While Long’s professional experience includes co-sponsoring tax-related bills during his time in Congress and advising businesses on tax credits, critics argue that this falls short of the expertise typically expected for the role of IRS Director. Lindsay Owens, a critic of the appointment, pointedly remarked, “This guy is an auctioneer — that’s his expertise.”
If confirmed, Long would be tasked with managing an agency of 85,000 employees and a budget exceeding $12 billion. This massive responsibility raises questions about whether his background adequately prepares him for the complexities of leading the nation’s tax collection agency.
Potential Implications for IRS Operations
The current IRS Commissioner, Danny Werfel, appointed by President Biden, has overseen expanded audits on wealthy taxpayers and improvements in customer service. Some Democratic lawmakers worry that Long’s appointment could disrupt this progress. Rep. Beyer expressed concern, stating, “Removing him will clearly signal Trump’s intention to make the agency less responsive to the American people, while giving a green light to wealthy tax cheats to evade their fair share of the tax burden.”
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers support Long’s appointment, citing issues like privacy and resource efficiency at the IRS. They believe Long’s business experience could bring fresh perspectives to the agency’s operations and potentially drive pragmatic reforms.
President-elect Donald Trump said he intends to nominate former Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) as IRS commissioner, cutting current chief Danny Werfel’s term short. https://t.co/M51kJUthhy
— Bloomberg Tax (@tax) December 5, 2024
A Call to Action
As conservatives, it’s crucial to stay informed about these significant appointments that could reshape our government agencies. Long’s potential leadership at the IRS represents a bold move towards bringing business acumen to bureaucracy. While his lack of formal tax industry experience raises valid concerns, his background in real estate and auctioneering could provide valuable insights into streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
