Trump made an eyebrow-raising decision.
Washington, D.C. – In a swift decision underscoring President Donald Trump’s push to cut federal red tape, the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been removed—just 48 hours after taking office.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly urged President Trump to replace Acting IRS Commissioner Gary Shapley, raising serious concerns over how the appointment was made. According to multiple reports, Bessent was frustrated that tech billionaire Elon Musk influenced Shapley’s selection without Treasury consultation.
This high-level turnover is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to rein in government overreach, shrink the federal workforce, and restore accountability in agencies long plagued by waste and inefficiency.
IRS Faces Dramatic Overhaul Under Trump’s Second Term
Since President Trump returned to the White House, the IRS has seen a historic downsizing. Once boasting over 100,000 employees, the agency is on track to lose more than one-third of its workforce in 2025 alone.
➡️ Over 12,000 IRS workers have already resigned or been laid off.
➡️ An additional 22,000 accepted early-exit offers in recent weeks.
These cuts are part of Trump’s signature initiative to streamline bloated agencies and refocus taxpayer dollars on real results.
A Trail of Departures: IRS Leadership in Flux
Shapley’s short-lived tenure follows the departure of two other interim commissioners in just three months.
- Melanie Krause, who preceded Shapley, resigned after backlash over a deal to share taxpayer data with immigration authorities.
- Doug O’Donnell, a longtime IRS insider, briefly held the role after Biden-appointed Danny Werfel stepped down on Inauguration Day.
The rapid turnover highlights the urgency of Trump’s mission: to drain the swamp and restore public trust in federal institutions.
New Leadership to Bring Real Reform
Treasury Secretary Bessent announced on Friday that Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender will now lead the IRS in an acting capacity. Faulkender is a well-known fiscal conservative with a track record of cutting government waste and promoting taxpayer-first policies.
“Trust must be brought back to the IRS,” Bessent said on X. “Faulkender is the right man for the moment.”
President Trump has nominated former Missouri Rep. Billy Long as the next permanent IRS Commissioner. The U.S. Senate is now reviewing the nomination.
Behind the Shake-Up: Elon Musk’s Growing Influence?
The New York Times reports that Elon Musk may have played a key role in recommending Shapley, sparking concerns about bypassing standard oversight. While Shapley is stepping down from the top role, Bessent confirmed that he will continue to serve in a senior advisory capacity within the Treasury.
“Gary Shapley’s insight into IRS reform is invaluable,” Bessent said. “Once he and Joseph Ziegler conclude their internal investigation, they will take on high-level roles to implement critical policy changes.”
Trump’s Vision: Fewer Bureaucrats, More Results
The move aligns with President Trump’s broader plan to reclassify tens of thousands of federal employees as ‘at-will’ workers, making it easier to remove underperformers and eliminate political obstruction within key agencies.
This approach is winning praise from conservatives nationwide who are demanding a leaner, more accountable federal government—and real results for America’s hardworking taxpayers.