Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged Wednesday that he threatened to “kick ass” during a heated confrontation last year, while firmly denying reports that he threatened to punch the now-acting Director of National Intelligence “in the face.”
The unusual exchange emerged during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) pressed Bessent about reports surrounding a confrontation between the two Trump administration officials during the summer of 2025.
According to Bessent, one key detail in the widely circulated account was inaccurate.
Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
Mapping the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched an extensive assault on Ukraine on Thursday, after months of denying it would. Military forces hit several Ukrainian towns and cities, as reports of casualties mounted. Ukrainian officials said Russian troops were closing in on Kyiv.
Russian forces press closer to Kyiv as US fears capital could fall soon. Russian forces pressed closer to the capital, as air raid sirens blared, people huddled for shelter in deep subway stations and Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported “saboteurs” just miles from Kyiv’s center. The city was jolted by pre-dawn explosions as the Biden administration cautioned lawmakers that the city could soon fall.
UKRAINE DEFENSE
UKRAINE FIGHTS BACK – ‘Make Molotov cocktails!’: battles rage in Kyiv and other Ukraine cities. Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.
Ukraine’s president says he is ‘Target No. 1.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Friday to stay in Kyiv as his troops battled Russian invaders who are advancing toward the capital in the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.
Ukraine pleads for help as Russian missiles pound Kyiv. Air raid sirens wailed over Kyiv, a European city of three million people, and some residents sheltered in underground metro stations, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion that has shocked the world.
US, NATO air forces mobilize as war comes to Europe. Six U.S. F-35A Lightning II fighter jets deployed to multiple countries on NATO’s eastern flank Thursday. They’ll disperse alongside F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighter jets across Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Romania.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IN SPACE? US space officials expect Russia, Ukraine conflict to extend into space. Top U.S. space officials this week said it’s likely Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will extend to space, predicting continued GPS jamming and spoofing and urging military and commercial space operators to be prepared for possible cyber-attacks.
Some Latin American nations call for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. Colombia, Argentina and Chile on Thursday called for swift withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, as other Latin American countries rejected the use of force but stopped short of calling for a Russian exit.
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Pakistan has deployed 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets, and an air defense system to
At American Liberty News, we eschew the mainstream media’s tightly controlled narrative to provide our readers with real news, real insights, and the means to take action. We seek out insightful coverage – and partner with knowledgeable and experienced people and organizations to bring you the information and insight our readers demand.
We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
PDB (Special Russia War Edition) – Ukraine Fights Back, But Sanctions Not Enough – Need Missiles
Treasury Secretary Clarifies Threat Against Bill Pulte
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged Wednesday that he threatened to “kick ass” during a heated confrontation last year, while firmly denying reports that he threatened to punch the now-acting Director of National Intelligence “in the face.”
The unusual exchange emerged during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) pressed Bessent about reports surrounding a confrontation between the two Trump administration officials during the summer of 2025.
According to Bessent, one key detail in the widely circulated account was inaccurate.
While he denied threatening.
Seijah Drake
Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
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Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DAILY BRIEFING.
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Today’s RUSSIA WAR PDB focuses on the unprovoked massive Russian invasion of Ukraine.
NON-RUSSIA THREAT BRIEF Provided in SEPARATE PDB
READ TODAY’S RUSSIA WAR PDB BELOW:
RUSSIAN INVASION
The invasion of Ukraine: How Russia attacked and what happens next. Explosions thundered in Ukrainian cities shortly after President Vladimir V. Putin declared the start of a “special military operation.”
Mapping the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia launched an extensive assault on Ukraine on Thursday, after months of denying it would. Military forces hit several Ukrainian towns and cities, as reports of casualties mounted. Ukrainian officials said Russian troops were closing in on Kyiv.
Russian forces press closer to Kyiv as US fears capital could fall soon. Russian forces pressed closer to the capital, as air raid sirens blared, people huddled for shelter in deep subway stations and Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported “saboteurs” just miles from Kyiv’s center. The city was jolted by pre-dawn explosions as the Biden administration cautioned lawmakers that the city could soon fall.
UKRAINE DEFENSE
UKRAINE FIGHTS BACK – ‘Make Molotov cocktails!’: battles rage in Kyiv and other Ukraine cities. Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.
Ukraine’s president says he is ‘Target No. 1.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Friday to stay in Kyiv as his troops battled Russian invaders who are advancing toward the capital in the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.
Ukraine pleads for help as Russian missiles pound Kyiv. Air raid sirens wailed over Kyiv, a European city of three million people, and some residents sheltered in underground metro stations, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion that has shocked the world.
GIVE IT TO THEM, BIDEN! – ‘We need as much Stinger and anti-tank weapons as possible,’ says Ukraine’s defense minister. Ukraine’s defense minister made a direct plea to Congress Thursday to send his besieged nation anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles through Poland to help it repel Russia’s military assault on Ukraine.
NATO AND US RESPONSE
NOT ENOUGH – Congress urges ‘crushing’ sanctions, bolstered NATO defenses after Ukraine assault. As Russian forces launched an invasion of Ukraine, a bipartisan chorus of U.S. lawmakers broadly condemned the invasion and urged the Biden administration to further impose swift and painful sanctions on Moscow.
US, NATO air forces mobilize as war comes to Europe. Six U.S. F-35A Lightning II fighter jets deployed to multiple countries on NATO’s eastern flank Thursday. They’ll disperse alongside F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle fighter jets across Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Romania.
American troops welcomed in Poland amid tightening security. Security around the U.S. troop deployment to Poland noticeably tightened in the last week.
173rd Airborne Brigade battalion heads to Latvia as Ukraine comes under Russian attack. The 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment began moving into the Baltic country Wednesday on C-130 aircraft out of Aviano Air Base and was expected to have hundreds of troops in place Thursday, said Maj. Cain Claxton, a Vicenza-based Army spokesman.
Members of Georgia’s Air National Guard deployed as Russia invades Ukraine. Members of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah have been deployed to Europe amid Ukraine and Russia tension.
GLOBAL IMPACT
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IN SPACE? US space officials expect Russia, Ukraine conflict to extend into space. Top U.S. space officials this week said it’s likely Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will extend to space, predicting continued GPS jamming and spoofing and urging military and commercial space operators to be prepared for possible cyber-attacks.
Protesters around the world condemn Putin’s military invasion, express solidarity with Ukraine. Protests erupted across major cities in Europe and the United States on Thursday in support of Ukraine, with demonstrators condemning Russia’s attack on its neighbor.
Some Latin American nations call for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. Colombia, Argentina and Chile on Thursday called for swift withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, as other Latin American countries rejected the use of force but stopped short of calling for a Russian exit.
REFUGEES
We might be on the verge of the greatest displacement of Europeans since World War II. The greatest displacement of European people since the aftermath of World War II could soon be underway. The United States and other allies need to prepare now before this becomes the massive humanitarian crisis so many fear.
END of PDB
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Sponsored
With Your Help, We’ll TAKE BACK President Trump’s Majority in 2022!Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
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We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
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