President Donald Trump has named former Republican Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) as his nominee for the Internal Revenue Service commissioner. The selection has sparked immediate scrutiny, particularly as Long recently secured a significant boost in campaign funds following his announcement as a potential appointee. Federal filings reveal that Long received approximately $137,000 in donations in January — the month following Trump’s public statement of intent to appoint him — which he used to clear an outstanding $130,000 personal loan to his 2022 Senate campaign. The campaign, which previously raised less than $36,000 in two years, experienced an unexpected financial windfall that has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Long’s nomination to lead the IRS is still pending Senate confirmation.
The surge in donations came amid bipartisan concerns over Long’s ties to lobbying groups accused of promoting fraudulent tax credits. These concerns were highlighted in a letter sent by Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee to the IRS, urging an investigation into the activities of firms like White River Energy and Lifetime Advisors, which are linked to Long and have been criticized for allegedly exploiting tribal tax credit schemes. The firms, which are referenced in the letter, are alleged to have distributed resources that could enable individuals and businesses to circumvent tax obligations, a practice that has drawn ire from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Long’s campaign disclosures show that many of the donors contributing to his campaign are affiliated with tax consultancy firms. This has led to accusations that his campaign may have leveraged his potential nomination to attract business interests that stand to benefit from a Trump administration. In fact, Long’s campaign finance records indicate that he earned more than $5,000 from White River Energy for a referral to Capitol Edge Strategies, a firm that promotes tribal tax credit resources. The disclosures also show that Long actively marketed tax products for Lifetime Advisors after leaving Congress, further deepening the scrutiny over his potential role in shaping tax policy.
While Long’s campaign team has not commented on the matter, the disclosures have fueled ongoing debates about the influence of private interests in public service. The case has also been underscored by the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that removed restrictions on personal loans from candidates’ post-election fundraising, allowing for a significant financial influx during the campaign cycle. Critics argue that this ruling created an environment where candidates can exploit their financial needs to attract large donations from businesses with vested interests in their policies.
The IRS has yet to comment on the situation, and Long’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment. Nonetheless, the timing of Long’s financial disclosures has intensified calls for transparency in the appointment process and raised broader concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest when high-profile officials are appointed to oversee critical government agencies like the IRS.