The Head of the I.R.S. Was Ousted

New York Times

18-04-2025

President Trump removed the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service, Gary Shapley, after less than a week on the job. The change was prompted by a power struggle between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Elon Musk. Bessent, who oversees the tax agency, had complained that Musk had persuaded the White House to appoint Shapley without his knowledge.
Bessent's deputy, Michael Faulkender, will replace Shapley, who had only been selected for the job on Tuesday. The previous acting I.R.S. leader, Melanie Krause, resigned after the Trump administration decided to use I.R.S. data to help deport undocumented immigrants. The agency has also been under pressure from Trump to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status — a push that has deeply troubled current and former officials.
The clash between Bessent and Musk escalated into a public feud last night. Musk amplified a social media post from the far-right researcher Laura Loomer, who had accused Bessent of colluding with a 'Trump hater.'
Bessent is also a close adviser to the president, and his fears about the recent tariff-induced downturn in financial markets seemed to influence Trump. People close to the president said Trump had turned more cautious on policies that could stoke extreme volatility again. They said, for example, that he has for months been aware that trying to oust Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, could cause a downturn. For now, they said, Trump seemed persuaded to hold off.
The president had pointed in particular to concerns about the bond market, which he called 'very tricky.' A Times analysis found that, as of August, Trump's personal investment portfolio had significantly more in bonds than in stocks.
U.S. may abandon Ukraine talks, unless progress emerges
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said today that the U.S. would end its efforts to strike a truce in Ukraine if there is not meaningful progress in negotiations over the next several days. 'If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on,' Rubio said.
Trump, who has at times blamed Ukraine for Russia's invasion, reiterated Rubio's comments later in the day: 'If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult,' the president said, 'we're just going to take a pass.'
In related news, Russian propaganda groups and other foreign adversaries have more room to operate now that the Trump administration took down many cybersecurity and disinformation guardrails, experts said.
In other politics news:
Autistic people pushed back against Kennedy's comments
After the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said this week that autism 'destroys' children, many autistic people voiced their outrage. They also pointed out that they had done things Kennedy claimed were impossible, like hold a job, write a poem, play baseball and go on dates.
'How will our children survive if they are considered a tragedy?' said Kim Cristo, who said her 17-year-old daughter is 'essentially nonverbal' but has a fulfilling social life, loves music and does yoga and karate.
Milwaukee is facing a lead crisis in its schools
Four children in Milwaukee's public schools have been found to have been exposed to high levels of lead in the last six months. Investigators discovered seven schools with flaking lead paint and lead dust. Three school buildings have been shuttered, and officials said that more were expected to follow.
But when city officials asked for federal assistance to help manage the lead crisis, their request was formally denied. They were told that the two C.D.C. lead experts who were expected to help guide the response had been fired.
More top news
The route that made Paul Revere famous
On April 18, 1775 — this day, 250 years ago — a 40-year-old Boston silversmith named Paul Revere borrowed a horse and sped west toward Lexington to warn his fellow colonists of an emerging threat: The British were coming.
A quarter-millennium later, we retraced Revere's route. We found that his midnight ride still resonates for many along his 16-mile route as a symbol of enduring American values, and a reminder of the heavy costs the country's founders were willing to pay in pursuit of freedom.
John Cena is saying goodbye to wrestling
John Cena is perhaps the last of the big-name crossover stars of professional wrestling, following the likes of Hulk Hogan and the Rock. So, it will be a big moment when he participates in what he insists will be his final WrestleMania event this weekend.
For 20 years, Cena has been the W.W.E.'s ultimate good-guy star. But as he steps away from wrestling, Cena is trying out a new in-ring character: the bad guy.
Dinner table topics
Cook: For an Easter dinner without all the fuss, try this quick lamb ragù.
Watch: 'The Ugly Stepsister' is a deliciously nasty reworking of the Cinderella tale.
Read: Here are eight new books we recommend.
Listen: On 'Popcast,' my colleagues looked at 13 songs you probably didn't know were hits.
Travel: We have suggestions for a short trip to Orlando.
Bargain: Haggling can be daunting to first-timers. Here are some tips.
Compete: Take this week's news quiz.
Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here.
A subtle gesture fans still swoon about after 20 years
There's a passing moment in the 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice,' when Mr. Darcy helps Elizabeth Bennet into a carriage. After he releases her hand and walks away, his fingers stretch outward like an impulsive, unconscious tic. For some fans, it's an iconic moment known as the hand flex.
The subtle expression of longing wasn't meant to be a special moment, the director, Joe Wright, told us. But the hand flex has become perhaps the defining beat from Wright's take on the novel. There's even official merchandise now to commemorate the gesture.
Have a stirring weekend.
Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Matthew
Eli Cohen was our photo editor.
We welcome your feedback. Write to us at [e-mail].