Scott Bessent Named IRS Commissioner Permanently Amid Controversy

Washington, D.C. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will remain in his role as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), sources familiar with the situation confirmed to CNBC on Thursday.

Bessent took over the IRS in August after President Trump removed Billy Long from the position just two months after Long’s confirmation. This transition has raised questions about the politicization of the tax collection agency, as no prior Treasury Secretary has also led the IRS.

Long has since been nominated as the U.S. ambassador to Iceland, which adds to the ongoing changes at the IRS.

Despite the initial plan for Bessent’s role to be temporary, Trump has decided to keep him in charge of the agency, sources reported.

Alongside Bessent’s continued leadership, Frank Bisignano, currently the commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), is expected to be announced as the new CEO of the IRS. In this dual role, Bisignano will manage day-to-day operations at the IRS while maintaining his position at SSA.

Bisignano has a strong background in financial services, having previously served as president and CEO of Fiserv, a leading financial technology company. He also led the significant merger between Fiserv and First Data in 2019.

In addition to overseeing the IRS, Bessent is actively leading the search for the next Federal Reserve Chair, following Jerome Powell‘s term expiration in May 2026. So far, eleven candidates have been interviewed, with a shortlist expected soon.