Key facts
- Ken Kies, top Treasury tax policy official and acting IRS chief counsel, is leaving his dual roles.
- David Hubbert, the Justice Department's chief tax official, resigned to avoid a forced transfer.
- Kies was confirmed as assistant secretary for tax policy in the summer of 2025.
- Kies also served as the acting IRS chief counsel.
- Hubbert, a career official, had served as interim chief for the Biden administration and part of Trump's prior term.
- Michael Anton, a top State Department official, is also departing.
Ken Kies, the top Treasury tax policy official who also oversaw the IRS legal arm, is departing his dual roles, according to an administration official. Kies was confirmed by the Senate as the assistant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury Department during the summer of 2025 and also acted as the IRS chief counsel during his tenure. He joined the IRS while the Trump administration enacted significant workforce cuts and led the implementation of the GOP’s landmark 2025 tax law.
Kies's departure follows that of David Hubbert, the Justice Department’s chief tax official, who resigned rather than accept a forced transfer to a new unit. Hubbert, a career official with 40 years at the office, opted to retire to avoid reassignment to the sanctuary cities enforcement group. His exit raises concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape the agency.
Separately, Michael Anton, a top State Department official, is also set to depart in the fall. The State Department stated that any insinuation of friction between Anton and other administration members is untrue.