Treasury Secretary Bessent Addresses Past Feud With Acting Intelligence Chief

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed his previous conflict with Bill Pulte during a recent Senate hearing. Pulte, appointed by President Donald Trump as acting intelligence chief, had clashed with Bessent in the past. Reports suggest Bessent had threatened Pulte at a dinner event. However, he downplayed the incident, humorously correcting the reports during his testimony.

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis questioned Bessent about the alleged threat from 2025, asking if he had any intentions of physical confrontation. Bessent replied humorously, clarifying his words during the exchange.

The issue resurfaced during the Treasury’s budget hearing. Bessent spoke about his previous disagreements with Pulte, especially after Trump’s announcement of Pulte’s appointment to a critical national security role. Despite this, Bessent explained that he recently contacted Pulte to congratulate him on his new role, emphasizing that it’s common for teams to have disagreements.

“Many teams squabble in the locker room and go out in the field,” Bessent stated when asked about his comfort with Pulte’s new position.

In an earlier interview, Bessent mentioned how historical figures like Alexander Hamilton engaged in duels, suggesting that such conflicts are not uncommon among Cabinet members.

President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte following Tulsi Gabbard’s resignation. Her resignation came due to her personal circumstances. Bill Pulte has retained his role as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Bessent’s previous conflicts include clashes with high-profile individuals such as Elon Musk. They reportedly argued over leadership of the IRS during a West Wing meeting.

Democratic figures have criticized Pulte’s appointment based on his qualifications. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned his suitability for a national security role without pertinent experience. They voiced concerns that Trump’s choice was politically motivated rather than based on national security needs.

Fox News Digital sought comments from the Treasury Department and DNI regarding these developments.

Ashley J. DiMella covers political events for Fox News Digital.