Treasury Faces Unprecedented Turnover as Seven of 16 Senate-Confirmed Appointees Exit
The US Treasury Department is experiencing an unusually high level of turnover among senior political appointees in President Donald Trump's second administration, raising questions about the department's ability to implement tax policy and respond to economic emergencies. According to reporting by NOTUS, seven of the 16 Treasury officials confirmed by the Senate since the beginning of Trump's second term — about 44% — have either resigned or been forced out. The figure does not include turnover in Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's personal office, which has had at least three chiefs of staff.
Disputes Over Tax Law and White House Demands
Several departures have followed disagreements between Treasury officials and the White House over the administration's demands involving tax enforcement and taxpayer information. At least four of the seven departing officials reportedly clashed with the White House over policies they believed could stretch or potentially violate existing tax laws.
One dispute involved a proposal to provide taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security as part of the administration's immigration enforcement efforts. Another involved a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that would have compensated Trump allies as part of an arrangement involving the IRS and tax audits. The proposal was ultimately abandoned after opposition from Senate Republicans.
Mark Mazur, a former senior IRS and Treasury official, told NOTUS that officials were being asked to do things "well beyond the norm" that could potentially be illegal. Mazur, who also served as acting assistant secretary for tax policy under both parties, noted that many appointees face career ruin or disbarment if they comply with such orders. Nina Olson, former head of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, stated that appointees fear civil or criminal liability.
Who Has Left
Among the officials who have departed is John Hurley, Trump's former undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. He reportedly raised concerns about a White House initiative involving international payments from Minneapolis before leaving the department.
Ken Kies, an assistant Treasury secretary and acting IRS chief counsel, was pushed out after objecting to a White House request that reportedly raised concerns about restrictions on political interference in audits. Billy Long, the Senate-confirmed IRS commissioner, was ousted after refusing to provide confidential taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security, according to reports.
Treasury General Counsel Brian Morrissey resigned shortly after the administration announced the proposed $1.8 billion fund. The IRS has also gone through seven acting commissioners in the previous year, and Trump has not nominated a permanent commissioner. Frank J. Bisignano, who also heads the Social Security Administration, currently serves as the IRS's chief executive officer.
Historical Comparisons and Expert Warnings
The high-level departures far exceed historical norms. By a comparable point in their terms, the Obama and Biden administrations had lost zero Senate-confirmed Treasury appointees, while George W. Bush's administration and Trump's first administration had each lost two. Turnover across other agencies under Trump remains significantly lower, with the State Department losing one confirmed appointee and the Defense Department losing two, according to the Partnership for Public Service.
The Treasury Department and IRS have also lost thousands of career employees. Daniel Bunn, president and CEO of the Tax Foundation, warned that unfilled positions could slow the drafting of regulations needed to implement Republican tax legislation. Former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson warned that stretched leadership could make it harder for Treasury to respond effectively if a major crisis requires "all hands on deck."
White House Response
White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the record, asserting that Trump and Bessent have led "the most transformative Treasury Department in modern history." The Treasury Department has been contacted for comment.