Trump Scores Major Win as Senate Confirms IRS Critic to Lead Agency
Washington, D.C. – June 12, 2025
In a significant political development, former President Donald Trump celebrated a key victory this week as the U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed longtime IRS critic Mark Hollister as the new Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. The move marks a dramatic shift in the agency’s leadership and underscores the ongoing influence of Trump-aligned conservatives on federal governance.
Hollister, a tax attorney and conservative policy analyst, has been an outspoken critic of the IRS for years, frequently calling for deep reforms and greater oversight of the agency’s auditing practices. His appointment, confirmed by a 51-49 vote largely along party lines, comes at a time when public trust in federal institutions is sharply divided and tax enforcement is under intense political scrutiny.
“This is a major step toward restoring accountability and transparency at the IRS,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social shortly after the vote. “The American people deserve an agency that serves them—not one that targets them.”
A Politically Charged Confirmation
Hollister’s nomination sparked heated debate in the Senate. Republican lawmakers praised his credentials and his tough stance on what they describe as government overreach. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Hollister “a bold and necessary choice to clean up a broken system.”
Democrats, however, expressed concern that Hollister’s past statements suggest an intent to weaken the IRS at a time when the agency is charged with enforcing new tax policies aimed at wealthy individuals and large corporations.
“Putting a known critic of the IRS in charge of the IRS is like appointing an arsonist to run the fire department,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “This isn’t reform—it’s sabotage.”
An Unusual Background
Unlike many past commissioners, Hollister has no prior experience within the IRS. Instead, he built his reputation as a legal advisor to conservative think tanks and as a frequent commentator on Fox News. He has advocated for a flat tax system and has argued that the current tax code is “intentionally confusing and fundamentally unfair.”
Supporters see his outsider status as a strength.
“Mark Hollister isn’t beholden to the bureaucracy,” said Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). “He’s the exact kind of reformer we need to tear down the walls of corruption and rebuild trust in the system.”
What This Means for the IRS
Hollister’s confirmation could usher in significant changes at the IRS. Insiders anticipate a freeze on several enforcement initiatives launched under President Biden’s administration, particularly those aimed at increasing audits of high-income earners and expanding digital asset tracking.
There is also speculation that Hollister may push for a restructuring of the agency’s upper management and a rollback of certain funding increases allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act.
While Hollister has not released a detailed reform agenda, in a brief statement after his confirmation, he promised to “restore integrity, fairness, and efficiency” to the IRS and to “protect ordinary taxpayers from unnecessary intrusion.”
A Broader Political Victory
The confirmation is widely seen as a strategic victory for Trump and his allies, who have long accused the IRS of political bias—particularly in light of the agency’s controversial audits of conservative groups during the Obama administration.
“This is about righting historic wrongs,” said Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), a staunch Trump supporter. “For too long, the IRS has been used as a weapon against the American people.”
Analysts say the move could also energize Trump’s base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and help frame the broader Republican narrative about shrinking the size of government and limiting federal power.
Critics Warn of Potential Consequences
However, not everyone is optimistic. Former IRS officials and watchdog groups warn that placing a reform-minded outsider with a history of antagonism toward the agency could disrupt its ability to function effectively.
“There’s a real danger here of demoralizing career staff and stalling critical modernization efforts,” said Nina Olson, former IRS National Taxpayer Advocate. “Tax enforcement isn’t just about revenue—it’s about fairness and maintaining a level playing field.”
What Comes Next
As Hollister prepares to take office, the political implications of his leadership are already reverberating through Washington. Whether he becomes a transformative reformer or a controversial disruptor remains to be seen.
For Trump and his supporters, though, the message is clear: this is another battle won in their ongoing campaign to reshape the federal bureaucracy—and a reminder that the former president’s influence is far from fading.
