Treasury Secretary’s Notable Exchange on Past Dispute with Intelligence Chief

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent minimized a past confrontation with Bill Pulte, the newly appointed acting intelligence chief by President Donald Trump. During a Senate hearing, Bessent humorously corrected a report suggesting he threatened Pulte at a dinner party in 2025.

North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis questioned Bessent, asking, “Did you actually tell Pulte you were going to punch them in the face?” In response, Bessent humorously replied, “No sir, I actually said I was going to kick his ass.” This interaction occurred during a Treasury budget hearing and highlighted earlier reports of tension between the two men. This attention followed soon after Trump’s announcement about Pulte’s new role in national security.

Bessent downplayed the reported incident with Pulte at the dinner, stating that he recently called to congratulate Pulte on his appointment. “Many teams squabble in the locker room and go out in the field,” Bessent remarked, indicating his acceptance of Pulte’s new position. He also noted in a September interview with CNBC, “Treasury secretaries dating back to Alexander Hamilton have a history of dueling,” implying that conflicts among government officials are not unusual.

Bessent’s remark was in response to questions about the alleged threat he made to Pulte in September, claiming that Pulte undermined him with the president. Despite past disputes, Bessent expressed his support for Pulte by making a congratulatory call.

Trump chose Pulte as acting director after the former Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, stepped down to support her husband’s health battle. Pulte will continue to serve as the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director and chair positions with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac alongside his new role.

Bessent previously made news for another altercation, involving a heated exchange with Tesla’s Elon Musk in April 2025. They reportedly clashed in the West Wing over leadership of the IRS.

Democratic leaders have voiced concerns about Pulte’s qualifications for such a prominent national security position. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the appointment as a “hastily considered backroom deal” aligned with favoring Trump.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned Pulte’s lack of relevant experience, asking, “What qualifies Bill Pulte to hold one of the most important national security positions for the United States?” Jeffries accused Pulte of aligning with Trump’s demands, irrespective of their implications.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Treasury Department and the Department of National Intelligence for comments regarding the situation.