Overview

• President Trump rescinded the appointment of Gary Shapley as acting IRS Commissioner just three days after his selection, following objections from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
• Bessent argued that Shapley’s appointment was orchestrated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency without consulting the Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS.
• Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender has been named the new acting IRS Commissioner, marking the agency's fifth leadership change since January 2025.
• Shapley, a whistleblower known for his testimony on the Hunter Biden tax investigation, will return to his advisory role at the Treasury Department.
• The IRS continues to face significant upheaval, including staff reductions and leadership instability, while awaiting the Senate confirmation of Trump’s permanent nominee, Billy Long.