Billy Long, we hardly knew ye. Not that we really wanted to. Long was yet another of Donald Trump’s shockingly unqualified department heads. The New York Times noted, “He did not have much background in tax policy beyond promoting a tax credit that the I.R.S. has warned was riddled with fraud, and while he was in Congress he supported legislation calling for the abolition of the agency entirely.”

Of course, Long had the most important qualification to Trump: staunch loyalty. So, what happened?

The Times reported that Long clashed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “Mr. Long had remarked to some colleagues that he had to ask Mr. Bessent for permission for everything he did at the I.R.S.,” two sources said. “Others said Mr. Long had at times appeared to get out ahead of the I.R.S. an

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