President Donald Trump’s administration has once again made changes at the IRS by appointing Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender as the new acting commissioner, replacing Gary Shapley. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the need to restore trust in the IRS and expressed confidence in Faulkender’s ability to lead the agency effectively. The decision to replace Shapley comes amidst a reported clash between Bessent and Elon Musk, a Trump advisor, who advocated for Shapley’s appointment, leading to concerns about external interference in IRS affairs.

Shapley, a former IRS criminal investigator, had raised issues regarding the investigation into Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, accusing the Justice Department of slowing down the process. Despite the change in leadership, Bessent praised Shapley as one of his key advisors. Faulkender will be the fifth person to head the IRS this year, following a series of leadership transitions, including Melanie Krause and Doug O’Donnell.

The IRS has been facing upheaval due to controversial agreements, such as sharing tax information with immigration authorities and workforce reductions proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency. These developments have raised concerns about data privacy and security as well as the agency’s operational stability. The ongoing changes and challenges within the IRS reflect a broader trend of uncertainty and restructuring across the federal government.