Democrat Senator Ambushes Trump’s IRS Pick With Secret Recordings of “Promised Favors” During Final Moments of Hearing
A bombshell dropped in the final moments of a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday when recordings were suddenly mentioned.
The nominee wasn’t even given a chance to respond.
Last-Minute Revelation Rocks Confirmation Hearing
Former Representative Billy Long (R-Mo.), President Trump’s pick to lead the IRS, found himself on the receiving end of a dramatic eleventh-hour accusation during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, claimed to possess recordings that could potentially derail Long’s nomination.
The revelation came as the hearing was concluding, leaving no opportunity for Long to address the allegations directly.
A Contentious Nomination Process
Long’s nomination has been controversial from the start. The former congressman and auctioneer has worked as a tax credit promoter – an industry that expanded significantly during the pandemic.
Republicans have praised Long’s private sector experience, suggesting it gives him valuable perspective on the challenges faced by small businesses.
“What he will do is bring a fresh and much-needed perspective to the IRS,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). “Before entering public service, he was a small-business owner and professional auctioneer — careers that grounded him in the real-world challenges that everyday small-business owners face.”
Democrats, however, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from Long’s work promoting tax credits.
The IRS at a Crossroads
The IRS has experienced significant upheaval since Trump returned to office.
After former Commissioner Danny Werfel resigned just before Trump’s second term began, the agency has cycled through multiple acting leaders.
The Trump administration has initiated substantial layoffs at the agency, particularly targeting compliance personnel hired during the Biden administration’s $80 billion IRS expansion.
One report suggests the agency could lose up to 40 percent of its workforce in coming years due to layoffs, hiring freezes, and normal retirements.
Disputed “Tribal” Tax Credits
Much of the hearing focused on Long’s involvement with so-called “tribal” tax credits that Democrats contend are invalid.
Long defended his role, stating: “My only involvement in this matter was to connect interested friends of mine … just friends, if they had any interest.”
Democrats on the committee released a detailed statement alleging that White River Energy sold questionable tax credits to investors while reassuring them they would have allies in the IRS.
The statement claimed White River and related parties donated over $165,000 to Long’s “long-dormant Senate campaign” shortly after concerns about the credits emerged.
The Recordings in Question
As the hearing concluded, Senator Wyden made his stunning claim about possessing recordings that allegedly implicate Long in promising favorable treatment to tax promoters.
“Our staff investigators have on tape now, tax promoters saying you met with them at the inauguration and promised [them] a favorable private letter ruling,” Wyden stated.
Wyden mentioned a second recording involving White River Energy’s CFO allegedly expressing expectations of “favorable treatment of these fake tribal tax credits” from Long.
Long had previously stated he received $65,000 from White River but maintained he “never talked to anybody” at the company, instead working “through” Capitol Edge Strategies.
The Trump administration forcefully rejected the allegations through a senior transition official who provided a statement to The Hill.
“Congressman Long has never spoken with anyone at White River Energy, nor has he ever made a comment like this to anybody else. These accusers are pathetic cowardly losers, and it’s notable that this fake news was ‘dropped’ in the final moments of the hearing so that Congressman Long could not respond.”
White River Energy did not immediately respond to questions about interactions with Long or the alleged $65,000 payment.
The timing of Wyden’s revelation – at the conclusion of the hearing with no opportunity for rebuttal – has raised questions about political tactics as much as the substance of the allegations themselves.
As the confirmation process continues, the Senate Finance Committee will need to evaluate not only Long’s qualifications but also the veracity and context of these last-minute accusations.