IRS Commissioner Replacement

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The acting commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service is being replaced following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s concerns to President Donald Trump.

Bessent complained that Gary Shapley, the latest head of the agency, was appointed without his knowledge and at the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, according to a report by the New York Times.

The article includes insights from five sources familiar with the situation. Bessent alleged that Musk maneuvered to have Shapley appointed as the interim head, despite the IRS being under his supervision.

Neither Treasury nor IRS provided immediate comments, and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency reportedly facilitated the appointment through White House channels without consulting Bessent. Eventually, Bessent obtained Trump’s approval to reverse the decision.

The next acting IRS head is anticipated to be Michael Faulkender, the deputy secretary of the Treasury, until former Congressman Billy Long can be approved by the Senate for the permanent position.

Trump appointed Shapley on Tuesday after Melanie Krause, the previous interim head, resigned following an agreement to share data with federal agents regarding undocumented immigrants in the U.S.