Seven IRS chiefs in just eight months—President Trump’s “deep clean” of the tax agency is shaking the bureaucracy and sending a clear warning to the old guard: business as usual is over.
Bessent’s Takeover After Unprecedented IRS Turmoil
On August 14, 2025, Scott Bessent—already serving as Treasury Secretary—walked into IRS headquarters to address employees for the first time as acting commissioner. The visit came less than a week after President Trump ousted Billy Long, making Bessent the seventh leader to helm the IRS in just this year. This level of turnover is unprecedented in the history of the agency, and it reflects an aggressive push by the Trump administration to overhaul what it sees as a bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy. Bessent’s 45-minute address aimed to assure staff of stability and his commitment to hands-on management.
This leadership churn has been accompanied by deep cuts to the agency’s staff. Since February 2025, the IRS has shed 25,000 employees—about a quarter of its total workforce. These reductions align with President Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp” by downsizing federal agencies and reducing government overreach. While many conservative taxpayers see this as a needed correction after years of IRS overreach and politicization, the speed and scale of the changes have rattled career employees and raised concerns about the agency’s ability to handle the upcoming tax season. The IRS’s operational capacity is now a focus for lawmakers, tax professionals, and everyday Americans alike.
Why Trump’s Restructuring Resonates With Conservatives
Many on the right have long viewed the IRS with suspicion, remembering episodes of past overreach and politically motivated targeting. Trump’s administration has made no secret of its intent to realign federal agencies with conservative values and constitutional limits. By removing entrenched leadership and slashing headcount, the administration is signaling that weaponized bureaucracy and unchecked spending will no longer be tolerated. Bessent, tasked with restoring order, has emphasized transparency and accountability—a welcome shift for taxpayers frustrated by years of intrusive audits and wasteful spending. The move has been cheered by conservatives who see the IRS as a symbol of government excess and a threat to individual liberty.
Bessent’s dual role as Treasury Secretary and acting commissioner underscores the seriousness of the administration’s shakeup. With the president’s full backing, Bessent is expected to push forward with reforms that prioritize efficiency and responsiveness. However, the rapid turnover and job cuts have created uncertainty among remaining employees, many of whom worry about job security and the agency’s ability to serve taxpayers. Despite these challenges, the Trump administration insists that the changes are needed to restore public trust and prevent the IRS from being used as a political tool against law-abiding Americans.
Impact on Taxpayers, Employees, and the Constitution
The shakeup at the IRS has far-reaching implications. For taxpayers, the immediate concern is whether the agency will be able to process returns and deliver refunds on time. The previous commissioner, Billy Long, had assured the public that the 2026 tax filing season would proceed as usual, but lingering doubts remain as the agency adapts to new leadership and a leaner workforce. For IRS employees, morale is low, and many face an uncertain future as further cuts and reorganization loom.
From a constitutional perspective, conservatives see the overhaul as a victory for limited government and the rule of law. The president’s willingness to act decisively affirms the executive branch’s authority to rein in agencies that stray from their mandates. Still, some experts caution that the loss of institutional knowledge and experience could undermine the agency’s effectiveness in the long run, potentially opening the door to new forms of mismanagement or abuse.
Scott Bessent’s sudden visit to IRS office — with whistleblowers — sends strong message just days after sixth commish was ousted https://t.co/i78JW0mDvm pic.twitter.com/26vrGoSkkP
— NY Post Opinion (@NYPostOpinion) August 14, 2025
As the IRS prepares for the next tax season under new management, the agency’s future remains uncertain. The Trump administration’s reforms are popular among those who believe Washington has grown too powerful and disconnected from the people it serves. Yet the coming months will test whether a slimmer, restructured IRS can protect taxpayer rights, uphold the law, and deliver on the promise of a government that works for—not against—the American people.
Sources:
Bessent Makes First IRS Visit as Acting Commissioner, Reassures Staff After Long’s Ouster (Axios)
Billy Long out as IRS commissioner after less than two months (The Tax Adviser)
Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Wikipedia)
IRS chief to leave agency less than two months after entering job (GovExec)
Bessent IRS Commissioner (Axios)