Less than 48 hours after his appointment as interim commissioner of the IRS, Gary Shapley has been dismissed from the position, as confirmed by CBS News. His brief tenure was characterized by controversy involving various government officials, including billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

Background of the Appointment

Shapley, a long-time IRS employee with a notable history, gained public attention as a whistleblower regarding the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax affairs. His recent appointment initiated a series of behind-the-scenes discussions focused on the dynamics of how he was selected for the role.

Controversy and Internal Disputes

Sources indicate that Musk intervened to support Shapley’s appointment, which reportedly led to tensions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent voiced concerns about Shapley’s installation and sought the approval of then-President Trump to reverse the decision. Meanwhile, Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender also raised objections, siding with Bessent against Shapley’s appointment.

Reaction from Treasury Officials

The ouster of Shapley was initially reported by The New York Times on Friday. Following Shapley’s dismissal, Bessent publicly endorsed Faulkender as the acting head of the IRS, emphasizing the need to restore trust within the agency, stating, “trust must be brought back to the IRS.” He also highlighted Faulkender as “the right man for the moment.”

Future Role of Gary Shapley

Despite his removal from the interim commissioner’s role, Shapley is expected to remain involved at the Treasury Department as an advisor to Bessent. “Gary Shapley’s passion and thoughtfulness for approaching ways by which to create durable and lasting reforms at the IRS is essential to our work,” Bessent remarked, reaffirming Shapley’s position as a key senior advisor.

The Road Ahead for the IRS

Shapley’s temporary leadership coincided with ongoing debates regarding his predecessor, Billy Long, who has been awaiting Senate confirmation for the IRS commissioner position. Long’s qualifications have been scrutinized, raising questions about the future stability of the agency.

Whistleblower Status and Allegations

Previously, Shapley alleged that there was undue pressure within the IRS to ease the investigation into Hunter Biden’s tax issues. Alongside another whistleblower, he testified before Congress, accusing the Department of Justice of deliberately stalling their inquiry and instructing agents not to pursue certain leads.

Following Hunter Biden’s guilty plea to tax crimes and subsequent pardon, Shapley’s testimony and actions have sparked significant political and social dialogue.