Gary Shapley ousted as acting IRS commissioner after three days
- Gary Shapley was installed as acting IRS commissioner on April 15, 2025, due to tensions within the Trump administration.
- He was ousted just three days later after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent objected to the appointment and cited a lack of consultation.
- The constant changes in leadership at the IRS reflect ongoing turmoil and political maneuvering during Trump's second term.
In the United States, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to experience instability, with Gary Shapley being recently appointed as the acting commissioner on April 15, 2025. His appointment raised concerns among officials, particularly after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed dissatisfaction, claiming he was not consulted before Shapley was chosen. After only three days in the position, Shapley was ousted on April 18, 2025, following reports that his appointment was influenced by a secretive effort involving Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The ongoing manipulation of IRS leadership is reflective of broader tensions between Musk and high-ranking officials within the Trump administration. Shapley had gained notoriety earlier as a whistleblower concerning investigations into Hunter Biden's taxes, which fueled political discourse amid GOP critiques of the Department of Justice. He was expected to maintain a senior role at the IRS post-replacement, being viewed as a significant political figure due to his previous testimonies before Congress. Michael Faulkender, the deputy secretary of the Treasury, was designated as the new acting commissioner, marking the fourth leadership change in the IRS during President Trump’s administration, underscoring the ongoing chaos and reform efforts within the agency.