U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before a Senate committee that he once told Acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte he was "going to kick his ass" [1].
The exchange highlights the personal tensions within the administration's top leadership and the nature of internal disputes between cabinet-level officials.
During the hearing in Washington, D.C., Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) asked Bessent if he had previously stated he would punch Pulte [2]. Bessent said that he did not use the word punch [2].
"No, sir. I actually said I was going to kick his ass," Bessent said [1].
Bessent said that the comment occurred during the summer of 2025 [1]. The interaction involved two high-ranking officials appointed by President Donald Trump, illustrating a moment of friction between the Treasury and the intelligence community.
Sen. Tillis said, "I share the emotion" [1].
The testimony provides a rare glimpse into the interpersonal dynamics of the executive branch. While the language was aggressive, Bessent's clarification focused on the specific phrasing of the threat rather than denying that a confrontation took place [2].
Bessent said during the proceedings that he was going to kick Pulte's "a**" [3]. The hearing continued to examine the relationship between the Treasury Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
“"No, sir. I actually said I was going to kick his ass."”
The public admission of a physical threat between a Treasury Secretary and the Acting Director of National Intelligence suggests a volatile working relationship at the highest levels of government. Such friction can potentially impact the coordination of economic and intelligence strategies, though the reaction from Sen. Tillis indicates that some members of Congress may view such outbursts as relatable or inconsequential.
