'Alarm bells': Senator warns Trump's IRS pick is 'bad news'

A Democratic senator blasted a new nomination for the Trump administration, railing that he has no relevant experience — and if confirmed people can expect "longer wait times for customer service."

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that former Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) was nominated to serve as the commissioner of the IRS.

"Billy brings 32 years of experience running his own businesses in Real Estate and, as one of the premier Auctioneers in the Country. He then served 12 years in Congress, because he 'felt it was important for his constituents to have a Representative who has signed the front of a check!'"

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Trump added: "Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations. I have known Billy since 2011 - He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress. Taxpayers and the wonderful employees of the IRS will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate “people person,” well respected on both sides of the aisle."

Since leaving Congress, Long has participated in numerous poker championships, including the World Poker Tour, and other professionally sanctioned games such as the Southern Poker Championship. He also lost the 2022 Republican Senate primary after the seat became vacant when Sen. Roy Blunt announced he would not seek reelection.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) laid into the nomination, writing on X: "Billy Long’s nomination is bad news for middle-class taxpayers and a win for ultra-wealthy tax cheats."

"If he’s confirmed, you can expect longer wait times for customer service, a more complicated process to file taxes, and free rein for the rich to rig the system at our expense," she wrote.

In a separate post, Warren continued attacking Long.

"Long has zero relevant experience for this critical management role and this pick — along with the unprecedented firing of the current commissioner — should set off alarm bells about the weaponization of the tax agency," she warned.