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President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening that he has nominated former Rep. Billy Long to serve as the new IRS commissioner.
Long, 69, served in U.S. Congress from 2011 to 2023.
The Wall Street Journal noted that the appointment signals Trump’s intent to oust current IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel before his term ends in 2027.
“Werfel has been running the IRS since 2022 and has been implementing the agency’s expansion, which Democrats approved over Republican objections,” the WSJ explained.
Long would need a Senate confirmation in order to fill the position.
Trump’s announcement reads:
I am pleased to announce that former Congressman Billy Long, of the Great State of Missouri, will be appointed to serve as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own businesses in Real Estate and, as one of the premier Auctioneers in the Country. He then served 12 years in Congress, because he “felt it was important for his constituents to have a Representative who has signed the front of a check!”
Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations. I have known Billy since 2011 – He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress. Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate “people person,” well respected on both sides of the aisle.
Congratulations Billy!
After Trump announced his nomination, Long wrote on social media, “I will not be issuing a blanket pardon, but I will be issuing a blanket thank you because I can’t keep up with all of you as fast as my phone is blowing up. Thank you. Let’s get to work! 👍👍🇺🇸.”
I will not be issuing a blanket pardon, but I will be issuing a blanket thank you because I can’t keep up with all of you as fast as my phone is blowing up. Thank you. Let’s get to work! 👍👍🇺🇸
— Congressman Billy Long, CTBA (@auctnr1) December 4, 2024
Long is also a former auctioneer, and multiple videos are resurfacing of comical moments when he launched into his auctioneer persona while serving in Congress.
Journalist George Behizy shared an old video of the hilarious moment when Long once reprised his former role as an auctioneer on the House floor.
“Long famously made one of the funniest jokes in Congress about the national debt,” Behizy noted.
WATCH:
President Trump just dropped a bombshell by nominating Billy Long, a former auctioneer, to be Commissioner of the IRS.
Long famously made one of the funniest jokes in Congress about the national debt. pic.twitter.com/4pX57ZiC6y
— George (@BehizyTweets) December 4, 2024
Here’s another video as Long once used his auctioneer tactics when independent journalist Laura Loomer was heckling a 2018 House hearing featuring then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
Trump is nominating former Rep. Billy Long for IRS commissioner. You must watch this video of him in 2018 using his auctioneer voice to talk over Laura Loomer as she heckled a House hearing featuring @Jack.pic.twitter.com/8Yk6JzcQLp
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 4, 2024
Breaking News: President-elect Trump said he would nominate Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, to lead the Internal Revenue Service.https://t.co/DYMhD5hOi4
— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 4, 2024
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