Staff Reports
In a move that has many rolling their eyes in disbelief and chuckling at the irony, President-elect Donald Trump has named former Missouri Representative Billy Long as the new IRS Commissioner. A post on Truth Social launched this announcement into the electronic ether, pouring salt into a wound that conservative Americans have long felt from the overreaching tax behemoth. Long’s resume doesn’t just scream experience; it practically shouts it, boasting 32 years in real estate and auctioneering before his 12-year gig representing Missouri’s 7th Congressional District.
Billy Long’s journey to the IRS isn’t as unconventional as one might think. After all, this is a man who clearly understands the value of a dollar—having signed the front of many checks himself. In his time in Congress, he served on multiple committees, including the illustrious Committee on Energy and Commerce, which never fails to excite anyone. Who doesn’t want to hear bureaucrats discuss energy policy while hiding behind a mountain of regulations?
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
In typical Trump fashion, the former president praised Long for his down-to-earth approach. He noted that since leaving Congress, Long has served as a business and tax advisor—perhaps the most desperately needed occupation in America today—and has guided small businesses through the labyrinth of IRS rules. This paints a picture of a seasoned warrior returning to the trenches, armed with understanding, frustration, and hopefully a sturdy shield, ready to take on the tax man. Long’s charming demeanor and reputation for hard work might just make the IRS a little more tolerable for those who dread the annual ritual of tax filing.
However, it appears the GOP’s relationship with the IRS has been anything but cozy. Many Republicans view this agency as an anachronism that needs dismantling. For example, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis recently stoked the flames of discontent by suggesting the outright abolition of the agency. Others like Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee have taken a particularly harsh stance, advocating for scaling back IRS funding to instead boost Veteran Affairs and FEMA. When it comes to the IRS, the love is lacking.
So, as Billy Long takes the helm of the IRS, conservative Americans can only hope his business-minded approach reflects a breath of fresh air amidst the staleness of bureaucratic red tape. Whether he’ll be regarded as a knight in shining armor or merely another cog in the elaborate tax machine remains to be seen. Regardless, one thing is certain: the confirmation of Long has already set off chatter across the conservative base, and if nothing else, it guarantees that taxpayers will be watching closely to see if he can make the IRS any less of a burden.
