The article centers on a power struggle between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk regarding the leadership of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Bessent reportedly complained to President Trump about the appointment of Gary Shapley as acting IRS commissioner, claiming Musk bypassed him.
Musk's Department of Government Efficiency pushed Shapley's appointment through White House channels without consulting Bessent. Shapley, a longtime IRS agent, gained conservative praise for his stance on the Hunter Biden tax investigation.
President Trump, with Bessent's approval, reversed the decision. Michael Faulkender, the Treasury's deputy secretary, is expected to temporarily replace Shapley until a Senate-confirmed nominee takes over.
The article notes the IRS has seen a series of temporary leaders under President Trump. Melanie Krause, the previous interim head, resigned after the Treasury Department's decision to use IRS data for immigration enforcement.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, did not comment directly on the specifics of the dispute.