Bessent will take over as the head of the IRS on an acting basis, a White House official told AP. The Republican-led Senate confirmed Long 53-44 despite Democratic senators' concerns about Long's lack of experience in tax administration and his past work for a firm that pitched a fraudulent pandemic-era tax break.

The former congressman was confirmed to lead the tax agency in June. Less than two month later, he’s out, which is every bit as weird as it seems.