Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged on Wednesday that he once told Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte he intended to physically harm him, confirming a previously reported confrontation. The admission came during Bessent's testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on the president's fiscal 2027 budget request.
Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, pressed Bessent on whether reports that he had threatened to punch Pulte were accurate. Bessent corrected the record with a smile, saying, “No sir, I actually said I was going to kick his a–.” Tillis responded approvingly, “Good, OK. Good, I share the emotion. Thank you.”
The exchange highlights the friction between top Trump administration officials. Pulte, who leads the FHFA, was recently tapped by President Trump to serve as acting director of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a move that has sparked bipartisan criticism. Pulte's appointment to lead the intelligence community has been met with alarm, particularly over his lack of national security experience and his history of targeting Trump's political opponents with mortgage fraud allegations.
Bessent downplayed the incident, likening it to internal team conflicts that ultimately produce winning results. “Many teams have fights in the locker room and then go out and win for the team on the table,” he said. The Treasury secretary also noted he had a “very good exchange” with Pulte the day before, and expressed interest in keeping momentum on the Energy and Performance Information Center initiative.
Tillis, however, made clear he would not support Pulte for a permanent role at ODNI, citing Pulte's call for former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to resign. “He lost me when he went after Powell,” Tillis said.
The confrontation was first reported by Politico in September, which detailed a heated exchange at a private dinner where Bessent reportedly swore at Pulte and threatened to punch him. Bessent later joked about the incident on CNBC, referencing Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's history of dueling.
Democratic lawmakers have fiercely criticized Pulte's interim appointment, arguing he is unqualified to oversee the intelligence community. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of “playing politics” by threatening to withhold votes on renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires June 12, over the Pulte controversy. Johnson's remarks came as the FISA renewal faces uncertain prospects amid the dispute.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, also pushed back against Pulte, stating he would likely vote against any long-term nominee who lacks the extensive national security experience required by statute. McConnell did not name Pulte directly but made clear his standard for the role.
The episode underscores the sharp divisions within the Trump administration and Congress over personnel decisions, as well as the broader political stakes surrounding intelligence leadership and surveillance powers. Bessent's blunt testimony adds a personal dimension to the ongoing power struggles in Washington.
