Bessent Says He Is Performing IRS Commissioner Duties

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, that he is performing the duties of the Internal Revenue Service commissioner. He addressed the issue during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington as Democrats questioned how the unusual arrangement intersects with a tax-return leak settlement involving former President Donald Trump.

Bessent said his term as acting IRS commissioner had expired, but argued that because the IRS is a bureau within the Treasury Department, the responsibilities of the vacant commissioner role “flow up” to him. He repeatedly drew a distinction between serving as acting commissioner and performing the commissioner’s duties.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., pressed Bessent to clarify his authority “for the purposes of public and transparency.” After initially rejecting the label of acting commissioner, Bessent said: “I am performing the duties of the commissioner.”

Senators press Bessent on Trump settlement oversight

Questioning centered on whether Bessent’s role gives him authority over Trump’s settlement with the IRS, including audit protections referenced by Democratic lawmakers. Bessent declined to address details, citing ongoing litigation.

He told the committee that the Treasury Department is represented by the Justice Department in the matter, and he would not comment further on the settlement while the case continues.

Leak-related questions extend to other taxpayers

Cortez Masto also asked whether roughly 400,000 other taxpayers whose information was leaked by a former IRS contractor would receive similar treatment to Trump, his family, and related business entities. Bessent did not answer directly and again pointed to the pending litigation and Justice Department representation.

The exchange underscores continuing scrutiny of how the Treasury Department and the IRS are handling the fallout from the leak and the scope of any protections tied to the settlement.

Lawmakers are expected to keep pressing Treasury officials for more clarity on the commissioner vacancy and on how the settlement is being implemented as legal proceedings move forward.