President Trump waves to the crowd at the Springfield-Branson Airport while accompanied by Rep. Billy Long and Sen. Roy Blunt (obscured) on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.

President Donald Trump has asked Billy Long to step down as head of the Internal Revenue Service, ending the commissioner's tenure just two months after he was confirmed for the post.

A White House official confirmed to USA TODAY Aug. 8 that Long will be removed from his position. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will serve as acting interim commissioner until a replacement is found.

Long, a former Missouri GOP congressman and loyal Trump supporter, is being tapped for an ambassadorship, the White House official said. In a statement posted on X, Long thanked Trump for the IRS role and announced he's being nominated to be the top U.S. diplomat in Iceland.

"I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!” Long wrote.

Before he took office, Trump indicated he would nominate Long for IRS commissioner, saying in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, in December: "He is an extremely hard worker, and respected by all, especially by those who know him in Congress."

Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel resigned in January before Trump took office, three years before his term ended.

(This story has been updated with more information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump fires IRS Commissioner Billy Long after two months on job

Reporting by Lauren Villagran and Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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