IRS Acting Commissioner Shapley Ousted Amid Musk-Bessent Dispute

Gary Shapley, a former IRS official known for his role in the Hunter Biden tax investigation, was removed as acting IRS commissioner just days after being appointed, following complaints from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Elon Musk had influenced Shapley's appointment without Bessent’s input. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency reportedly pushed for Shapley’s installation through White House channels, bypassing standard procedures and causing tension within the administration. Shapley’s ouster is the latest in a series of rapid leadership changes at the IRS, which has seen five acting heads in just three months, contributing to instability and concern among IRS staff and observers. Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender is expected to temporarily assume the role until a permanent commissioner is confirmed. The turnover has exacerbated an already chaotic environment within the IRS, prompting some to describe the agency as a 'zombie' institution struggling to function amid ongoing political and administrative turmoil.