Treasury says Bessent will run IRS even though ‘vacancy’ term expired
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will continue to lead the IRS even though he no longer officially serves as acting commissioner, the agency announced Friday.
Mr. Bessent had been acting commissioner since August, after Billy Long, President Trump’s Senate-confirmed pick, left office after less than two months in office.
But under federal rules governing vacancies, Mr. Bessent’s term as acting commissioner expired earlier this month.
The agency said he no longer held that position, but retained full authority since he oversees the IRS anyway as secretary of the department in charge.
“Pursuant to the Federal Vacancy Reform Act, the Secretary retains the authority and responsibility to carry out the functions and obligations of vacant Treasury offices that are not filled on an acting basis,” the IRS said.
The CEO, Frank J. Bisignano, handles daily tasks and reports directly to Mr. Bessent.
The arrangement dismayed congressional Democrats, who called it a worrying workaround for the law.
Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the CEO position was never authorized by Congress.
“The idea that Bessent will continue to lead the IRS after his term as Acting Commissioner expires is outrageous but hardly surprising from a corrupt administration that makes a sport out of breaking the law and trampling on the Constitution,” the Oregon lawmaker said.
He said the president may have trouble finding someone to appoint to the position who has experience in tax law and is willing to follow his policies.
Mr. Trump’s Cabinet has been remarkably stable, with his first departure coming this month with the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
But below that level, Mr. Trump has kept a number of jobs open and assigned his aides to double duty.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also serves as Mr. Trump’s acting national security adviser and, at one point, also served as acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
And Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
