“Nominee for IRS Head, Billy Long, Would Be ‘Gift to Tax Cheats'” – Critics Slam Trump’s Choice

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Internal Revenue Service, former Rep. Billy Long, is facing backlash for his lack of relevant experience and his past efforts to undermine the agency he’s been tapped to lead. Critics, including progressive lawmakers and economic justice advocates, have raised alarms over Long’s record, which they argue makes him ill-suited for the role.

During his six terms in Congress, Long did not serve on the House committee responsible for tax policy, and his stance on the IRS has been clear: he has long advocated for its abolition. As a Republican congressman from Missouri, Long repeatedly sponsored legislation to dismantle the IRS and co-sponsored bills to repeal estate taxes, which primarily affect the wealthiest households.

“He said almost nothing on the floor regarding taxes, the IRS, and taxation during his 12 years in Congress,” noted John Bresnahan of Punchbowl News. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) expressed concern over Long’s limited experience, calling it a red flag. “If Trump fires Mr. Werfel, it won’t be to improve on his work; it’ll be to install somebody Trump can control as he meddles with the IRS,” Wyden warned.

Werfel, who currently serves as the IRS Commissioner, has been praised for improving taxpayer services and cracking down on tax evasion by the ultra-wealthy. Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, also criticized the nomination, stating, “If he’s confirmed, taxpayers can expect longer wait times for customer service, a more complicated process to file taxes, and free rein for the rich and powerful to continue rigging the system at the expense of everyone else.”

Long’s post-congressional activities have added further controversy. He has promoted the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), a pandemic-era program that has been plagued by fraud. The IRS temporarily halted processing new ERTC claims due to the rampant fraud, and the U.S. House passed a bill to suspend the program altogether. Wyden emphasized, “These ERTC mills… are essentially fraud on an industrial scale,” raising concerns over Long’s involvement in the program.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) echoed these concerns, noting, “Replacing Commissioner Werfel with over three years remaining in his term is a terrible mistake.” He warned that removing Werfel could signal Trump’s intention to make the IRS more lenient on tax evasion and less responsive to the needs of the American people.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also expressed alarm, describing Long’s nomination as part of Trump’s strategy to “weaponize the tax agency.” She concluded, “If he’s confirmed, taxpayers can expect longer wait times for customer service, a more complicated process to file taxes, and free rein for the rich and powerful to continue rigging the system.”