John,
The Trump administration has quietly created a new position at the IRS that does not exist in law.[1] Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Frank Bisignano, the current Social Security Commissioner, will now serve as “CEO of the IRS.” That position has never existed. It was not created by Congress. It does not appear anywhere in federal statute.
By inventing a new title, Trump has handed control of the IRS to one of his political allies without going through the Senate confirmation process required for the IRS Commissioner. Bessent remains the “acting commissioner” while Bisignano runs the agency’s day-to-day operations.
This arrangement is an attempt to sidestep the Constitution’s requirement that the Senate confirm major executive branch appointments. It gives Trump direct control over an agency that enforces the tax laws that apply to him and his donors. The public has a right to know who authorized this, what legal authority was used, and whether any internal objections were raised by Treasury or IRS officials.
The Senate Finance Committee must act. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Frank Bisignano should be called to testify under oath to explain this unprecedented restructuring of the nation’s top tax agency.
Tell your senators to demand immediate public testimony from Bessent and Bisignano on the creation of this unauthorized “IRS CEO” position.
The IRS is supposed to operate independently. But this move places one of Trump’s loyalists in charge of both the IRS and the Social Security Administration, concentrating enormous power over Americans’ financial data in the hands of one unelected political figure.
The IRS Commissioner’s role was designed to protect the integrity of the tax system. By splitting duties between an “acting commissioner” and a made-up “CEO,” the Trump administration is hollowing out that independence. It replaces lawful oversight with a system of personal loyalty and political control.
Every taxpayer deserves an IRS that enforces the law evenly, not one that answers to a political operative. The Senate must expose this scheme, question those responsible, and restore lawful order to the agency tasked with ensuring the rich and powerful pay their fair share.
The Finance Committee’s duty is clear. They must call Scott Bessent and Frank Bisignano to testify. Make the administration explain this circumvention of the law and reaffirm that no one is above congressional oversight.
Tell the Senate to demand public testimony and stop Trump’s illegal manipulation of the IRS.
Together, we can defend the integrity of our tax system and make sure no president ever sidesteps the law to protect the wealthy and powerful.
David Kass
Executive Director
Americans for Tax Fairness Action Fund
[1] Social Security Administrator Frank Bisignano is named to the newly created position of IRS CEO
