The recent confirmation of Billy Long as the IRS Commissioner is a glaring reflection of the growing divide in American politics. Picked by former President Donald Trump, Long’s nomination threaded through a needle of dissent and skepticism, culminating in a party-line Senate vote that highlighted the stark ideological fissures in Washington. While the Republican majority may cheer the appointment, the Democratic opposition raises legitimate concerns about the integrity and impartiality of an agency famously known for its crucial role in tax collection and economic regulation.
Long’s ties to Trump and his previous congressional seat in Missouri have led to skepticism about his ability to maintain neutrality as the head of a major federal agency. The critique from Democrats during the confirmation hearings was not merely a partisan jab; it was steeped in the real fear that the IRS could become an extension of political favoritism rather than a bastion of fairness. The statement, “The IRS will not, should not be politicized on my watch,” which Long made in response to questions on Trump’s influence, seems inadequately reassuring given the weight that his past affiliations carry.
A Troubling Context: The IRS’s Resource Drain
As Long steps into his role amid economic uncertainty and an agency grappling with significant staffing challenges, the potential for adverse effects on taxpayers becomes increasingly evident. Under the direction of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, the IRS is facing unprecedented cuts. A hiring freeze and mass reductions in force will likely cripple the organization’s ability to effectively enforce tax laws. Reports of the IRS losing nearly one-third of its revenue agents just compounds the anxiety surrounding this appointment, particularly given the staggering $696 billion tax gap identified for 2022.
The importance of having a robust and fully staffed IRS cannot be overstated. Without the necessary personnel to engage in audits and oversight of tax compliance, the burden will shift disproportionately to law-abiding taxpayers while tax evaders slip through the cracks. Long’s vague comments about modernizing the IRS and improving efficiency ring hollow when juxtaposed with the harsh realities of deep cuts to its operational capacity.
Inefficiency Through Bureaucratic Constraints
Should Long adhere to the proposed budget cuts outlined in Trump’s fiscal 2026 request—a terrifying 37% reduction in IRS funding—there’s little prospect for effective modernization. The prospect of technological advancements or “smarter IT” does little to counteract lost personnel and vital resources. For anyone advocating for responsible governance, this should raise alarms about an agency that already operates under the specter of inefficiency. The reliance on artificial intelligence to make up for lost manpower is an audacious gamble that has yet to prove itself in practice.
However, the reality is that staffing cuts will inevitably lead to increased delays and impediments for taxpayers who rely on timely processing of their returns and inquiries. The notion that these reductions will streamline the IRS processes is not just misguided—it is fundamentally flawed. The appointments and decisions made by Long in the coming years will have real-world repercussions for struggling taxpayers just trying to stay afloat in economically turbulent times.
Hazards of the Current Political Landscape
Ultimately, Long’s appointment as IRS Commissioner is symptomatic of a broader trend in American politics where public institutions are treated as pawns in a partisan game. The structure of checks and balances that once fortified the agency’s integrity appears increasingly compromised. In a climate where revenue collection is already under severe threat from both staffing shortages and excessive political influence, the American public must be wary of the ramifications.
The potential impact of sweeping changes from the Trump administration’s spending bill, which looks to overburden the IRS with precertification requirements for tax credits, only exacerbates the situation. These changes are bound to overwhelm an under-resourced agency, causing chaos and confusion—further driving the wedge between responsible governance and political overreach. As we move forward, the integrity of the IRS and, by extension, the ability of the government to operate effectively for its citizens hangs in precarious balance.