Donald Trump has replaced the acting commissioner of the US Internal Revenue Service after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly complained that the appointment was made without his knowledge and at the direction of Doge leader Elon Musk. According to the New York Times, Bessent believed Musk had circumvented him to install Gary Shapley as interim IRS head, despite the agency reporting to the Treasury.
The so-called Department of Government Efficiency pushed for Shapley's appointment using White House channels, sources said. Bessent secured Trump's approval to reverse the decision, and Michael Faulkender, current deputy treasury secretary, is expected to become the next acting IRS head. Missouri congressman Billy Long is Trump's nominee for the permanent role, pending Senate confirmation.
Earlier this week, the Lever reported that Long had significant personal debt abruptly paid off using campaign contributions after Trump announced his intention to nominate him. Shapley had been appointed on Tuesday following the resignation of previous interim head Melanie Krause, who left after the IRS agreed to share tax information of undocumented immigrants with federal agents.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the New York Times: 'It's no secret President Trump has put together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the issues impacting our country. Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy policy process, and ultimately everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump.'
The feud between Bessent and Musk spilled onto social media, where Musk amplified a post from far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer accusing Bessent of collaborating with a 'pro-impeachment and pro-censorship Trump hater'. Musk called the collaboration 'troubling'. Amid the power struggles, the IRS is reportedly planning to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status under pressure from the Trump administration, despite it being illegal for the president to direct an investigation or audit.
