That’s Cold: Trump Nominates IRS Commissioner He Ousted To Be Ambassador to Iceland

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

President Donald Trump fired IRS Commissioner Billy Long on Friday, only to name him ambassador to Iceland almost immediately.

Long, a former Republican congressman from Missouri, was commissioner for two months. As a lawmaker, he called for the abolition of the agency he would eventually lead. On Thursday, Long sent an email to all IRS employees, telling them they could leave 70 minutes early on Friday.

“With this being Thursday before another FriYay, please enjoy a 70-minute early exit tomorrow. That way you’ll be rested for my 70th birthday on Monday!” Long wrote.

It was the last email he wrote as IRS commissioner.

The New York Times reported that Long complained to colleagues that he frequently had to seek Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s approval on various matters, according to two sources familiar with the reasoning for his ouster.

“It is a honor to serve my friend President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland,” Long wrote on social media on Friday. “I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!”

In a second post, Long referenced actor Dean Cain enlisting in Immigration and Customs Enforcement to make a crack about his new assignment.

“I saw where Former Superman actor Dean Cain says he’s joining ICE so I got all fired up and thought I’d do the same,” Long posted. “So I called @realDonaldTrump last night and told him I wanted to join ICE and I guess he thought I said Iceland? Oh well”

To take his position, Long will need to be confirmed by the U.S.Senate, which confirmed him as IRS commissioner in June by a vote of 53-44.