John,
The IRS is under siege. Elon Musk’s minions are hacking into private taxpayer information, Commissioner Danny Werfel has resigned, his deputy Doug O’Donnell is retiring today, and now Donald Trump is trying to install Billy Long, a man who fought to abolish the IRS entirely, as its next Commissioner.[1]
Long’s nomination isn’t just reckless, it’s a calculated move to cripple tax enforcement and let billionaire tax cheats off the hook.
Billy Long spent his time in Congress co-sponsoring legislation to completely eliminate the IRS by replacing federal income taxes with a regressive 30% national sales tax that would punish working families while the ultra-rich paid next to nothing.
And after leaving office, Long profited from a fraud-ridden tax-credit industry that exploited pandemic relief funds.[2] Now, Trump wants him to lead the very agency he tried to dismantle.
We can’t let this happen. Tell the U.S. Senate to reject Billy Long’s nomination and protect the IRS from Trump’s dangerous agenda.
Under Commissioner Werfel’s leadership, the IRS made historic progress: over $1.3 billion was recovered from wealthy tax cheats,[3] Microsoft was notified that it owes $29 billion in back taxes,[4] 60 major corporations that, together, make more than $500 billion in profits each year were audited,[5] and the successful Direct File free online tax filing program saved taxpayers millions of dollars in fees.[6]
Billy Long’s nomination threatens to erase all of that.
This is a calculated move by Trump to cripple IRS enforcement. Long has a proven track record of siding with the wealthy and powerful over working families and his nomination is a clear sign that Trump wants an IRS Commissioner who will turn a blind eye to billionaire and corporate tax evasion.
We must ensure the wealthiest pay what they owe, just like the rest of us, and that starts with protecting the IRS from becoming another victim of the Trump-Musk regime’s efforts to dismantle the federal government in order to further enrich wealthy campaign donors.
Demand the Senate reject Billy Long’s nomination now.
Together, we can ensure the IRS remains strong, independent, and committed to holding the wealthy accountable.
David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] Trump picks Republican opponent of the IRS to lead the IRS
[2] Trump’s IRS Pick Signals Green Light for Tax Cheats
[3] IRS says it has recovered $1.3 billion in unpaid taxes from rich Americans
[4] IRS says Microsoft owes an additional $29 billion in back taxes
[5] IRS Investment Update: Business Account Launches, Noncompliant US Subsidiaries Targeted
[6] IRS Direct File Pilot Program Filing Season 2024 After Action Report
