Social Security Administrator Takes the Helm as IRS CEO in Newly Created Role: NPR

WASHINGTON – Frank Bisignano, currently serving as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), was appointed on Monday to a newly established role as Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This appointment marks another instance of a Trump administration official overseeing multiple federal agencies simultaneously.

In his capacity as IRS CEO, Bisignano will report directly to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is also acting as the IRS commissioner. The Treasury Department has not yet clarified whether this newly created position will require Senate confirmation.

According to an official Treasury statement, Bisignano’s responsibilities will include managing the IRS’s daily operations while maintaining his leadership role at the SSA.

Treasury Secretary Bessent highlighted the synergy between the IRS and SSA, noting, “Both agencies pursue similar objectives in technology advancement and customer service excellence, making Mr. Bisignano an ideal candidate for this dual role.”

This appointment adds complexity to the ongoing leadership changes within the IRS since the start of the Trump administration. Bessent assumed the acting commissioner role in August after former U.S. Representative Billy Long was removed from the position less than two months post-confirmation and subsequently nominated as ambassador to Iceland.

Prior to Long’s tenure, the IRS saw four acting commissioners, including one who resigned amid controversy over an agreement to share immigrant tax information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Another appointment sparked a public dispute between former Trump advisor Elon Musk and Treasury Secretary Bessent.

Legal experts have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from Bisignano’s dual leadership roles. Mike Kaercher, deputy director at NYU School of Law’s Tax Law Center, remarked, “Having the same individual oversee both the IRS and SSA could compromise the protection of taxpayer data, especially when SSA seeks access to sensitive information safeguarded by law.”

Bisignano’s acceptance of two significant federal positions places him among several Trump administration officials juggling multiple responsibilities, including Bessent, Marco Rubio, Sean Duffy, Jamieson Greer, and Russell Vought.

Advocates for both the IRS and Social Security have voiced apprehension regarding this development. Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and Disability Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, questioned the bypassing of Senate approval, stating, “Would the administration truly want one person managing the nation’s largest social program while simultaneously overseeing the rollout of a complex new tax law?” She shared this perspective on the Bluesky social platform.

Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an organization championing the interests of SSA beneficiaries and future retirees, warned that Bisignano’s divided focus could create administrative bottlenecks, complicating the resolution of inevitable challenges. She emphasized that in the SSA’s 90-year history, no commissioner has held a concurrent federal position. Altman also noted the leadership gap at SSA, especially given the absence of a Senate-confirmed deputy commissioner.

Before his federal appointments, Bisignano has been CEO of Fiserv, a technology company specializing in payments and financial services, since 2020. He has previously advocated for corporate policies that protect LGBTQ+ employees from discrimination.