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.
Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
⏱ 5 minute read
TUESDAY PDB – Hamas uses hospitals as human shields. Fighting traps hundreds in Gaza’s largest hospital. Patients and medics remain trapped in Gaza’s main hospital after days of fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas.
Israel says Hamas’ headquarters are underneath the hospital.
U.S. CONFIRMS – Hamas has command node under Al-Shifa hospital, US official says. US official with knowledge of American intelligence says Hamas has a command node under the Al-Shifa hospital, uses fuel intended for it and its fighters regularly cluster in and around Gaza’s largest hospital.
SEPARATELY – “You can see even from open-source reporting that Hamas does use hospitals, along with a lot of other civilian facilities, for command-and-control, for storing weapons, for housing its fighters,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday.
A Hamas operations center was also discovered under Al Rantisi children’s hospital, with evidence that Israeli hostages were held there.
THESE ARE THE REAL WAR CRIMES.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
IGNORE THEM – FAR-LEFT GROUPS DOING WHAT THEY ALWAYS DO – Pentagon urged to halt plans for giving Israel artillery supplies. U.S.-based aid, advocacy and religious organizations warn that the provision of 155mm artillery rounds to Israel risks worsening civilian suffering in Gaza.
NOW BIDEN IS GOING AFTER WARRIORS WHO WERE STANDING NEXT TO PEOPLE WEARING CERTAIN SHIRTS – Navy SEAL investigated for alleged ties to extremists. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Bryce Henson has allegedly attended rallies with people wearing Proud Boys’ attire. WITCH HUNT AGAINST CONSERVATIVES.
REALLY? IT’S THEIR BACKYARD – EU Expresses Doubts on Long-Term Funding for Ukraine. European Union countries are having reservations about committing a long-term fund of $21.4 billion of military aid for Ukraine as its grinding fight continues against Russia’s invasion.
IRAN THREAT
PINPRICK TIT-FOR-TAT STRIKES WON’T CUT IT – US conducts more airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria. The Pentagon says U.S. fighters conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria, likely causing casualties and destroying weapons stored at the two targets that were.
US, India defense officials meet to talk regional security. The two underlined their commitment to boosting security ties Friday as their top diplomats and defense chiefs met to discuss regional security, China, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Why are airmen training for Arctic weather in Florida? Sunny, humid Florida may not fit most people’s idea of an Arctic warfare training location, but 23 Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla. proved otherwise during a recent visit to the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at nearby Eglin Air Force Base.
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.
Hamas Terrorists Use Gaza Hospitals To Protect Themselves
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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TUESDAY PDB – Hamas uses hospitals as human shields. Fighting traps hundreds in Gaza’s largest hospital. Patients and medics remain trapped in Gaza’s main hospital after days of fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas.
Israel says Hamas’ headquarters are underneath the hospital.
U.S. CONFIRMS – Hamas has command node under Al-Shifa hospital, US official says. US official with knowledge of American intelligence says Hamas has a command node under the Al-Shifa hospital, uses fuel intended for it and its fighters regularly cluster in and around Gaza’s largest hospital.
SEPARATELY – “You can see even from open-source reporting that Hamas does use hospitals, along with a lot of other civilian facilities, for command-and-control, for storing weapons, for housing its fighters,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday.
A Hamas operations center was also discovered under Al Rantisi children’s hospital, with evidence that Israeli hostages were held there.
THESE ARE THE REAL WAR CRIMES.
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense stories from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.
Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DAILY BRIEFING – the PDB:
US SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
IGNORE THEM – FAR-LEFT GROUPS DOING WHAT THEY ALWAYS DO – Pentagon urged to halt plans for giving Israel artillery supplies. U.S.-based aid, advocacy and religious organizations warn that the provision of 155mm artillery rounds to Israel risks worsening civilian suffering in Gaza.
Aircraft carrier USS Dwight S. Eisenhower now in Gulf of Oman. The Eisenhower (CVN-69) and its escorts are operating in the Gulf of Oman after leaving the Red Sea earlier this weekend.
POLITICS
IT’S THE PRINCIPLE, NOT THE COST – NO TAXPAYER FUNDED ABORTION TRAVEL – Pentagon’s new abortion policy at center of Senate fight expected to cost just $1 million a year, analysis says. The policy has jammed up hundreds of military promotions.
NO COMMENT – ‘QAnon Shaman,’ Navy vet imprisoned over Jan. 6, running for Congress. Navy veteran Jacob Chansley was the spear-carrying rioter in horned fur hat and face paint during the 2021 Capitol riot. BUT, SORRY – NO.
NATIONAL SECURITY
As funding deadline looms, Air Force warns of major impacts from another stopgap. As Congress barrels toward another government funding deadline, the Air Force has prepared a sobering assessment of how a continuing resolution would hurt modernization and undermine readiness.
HOMELAND SECURITY
NOW BIDEN IS GOING AFTER WARRIORS WHO WERE STANDING NEXT TO PEOPLE WEARING CERTAIN SHIRTS – Navy SEAL investigated for alleged ties to extremists. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Bryce Henson has allegedly attended rallies with people wearing Proud Boys’ attire. WITCH HUNT AGAINST CONSERVATIVES.
National Guard to assist DC police at March for Israel. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said the DC Guard will be supporting police at the rally scheduled for Tuesday.
CHINA THREAT
STOP GROVELING JOE, THEY WANT TO REPLACE US – Biden and Xi will meet Wednesday for talks on trade, Taiwan. Differences in the already complicated U.S.-Chinese relationship have only sharpened in the last year.
PODCAST – Understanding the Chinese Challenge: Assessing DoD’s Latest China Military Power Report. John “Slick” Baum chats with Senior Fellow for China Studies Mike Dahm about key trends and insights shaping the security picture in the Western Pacific and beyond.
Irregular Warfare: Undermining the CCP’s Dangerous and Illegal Activities in the Indo-Pacific. To counter the dangerous and illegal actions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the region, the U.S Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) needs a comprehensive Irregular Warfare (IW) campaign strategy.
RUSSIA THREAT – UKRAINE WAR
REALLY? IT’S THEIR BACKYARD – EU Expresses Doubts on Long-Term Funding for Ukraine. European Union countries are having reservations about committing a long-term fund of $21.4 billion of military aid for Ukraine as its grinding fight continues against Russia’s invasion.
IRAN THREAT
PINPRICK TIT-FOR-TAT STRIKES WON’T CUT IT – US conducts more airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Syria. The Pentagon says U.S. fighters conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria, likely causing casualties and destroying weapons stored at the two targets that were.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
After suspicious incidents, NATO works to protect undersea infrastructure. Joint Forces Command leader has also been monitoring Russian activity in the Arctic.
Here’s when the US Navy plans to sell subs to Australia under AUKUS. It intends to sell Australia used Virginia-class attack submarines in 2032 and 2035, plus a new boat in 2038.
US, India defense officials meet to talk regional security. The two underlined their commitment to boosting security ties Friday as their top diplomats and defense chiefs met to discuss regional security, China, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Commercial tankers refuel US Air Force fighters for Singapore exercise. The Air Force conducted its first aerial refueling of fighter aircraft by a commercial tanker on Nov. 6.
US MILITARY
GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHERS – Pentagon IDs Army special operations aviation soldiers killed in crash. It has released the names of five Army soldiers killed in an MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash on Friday.
WE NEED MORE REAL WARRIORS, BUT THEY ARE OFTEN LEAST LIKELY TO ASK FOR HELP – Marines grapple with highest suicide rate of all US military services. In total, 61 active-duty Marines and six Marine reservists died by suicide in 2022.
Why are airmen training for Arctic weather in Florida? Sunny, humid Florida may not fit most people’s idea of an Arctic warfare training location, but 23 Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla. proved otherwise during a recent visit to the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at nearby Eglin Air Force Base.
US seeks to fund Israeli laser as Army considers Iron Beam’s potential. The Army is eyeing it as a possible alternative laser to augment its own fire protection capability.
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.
READ NEXT: Watch: Republican Accuses McCarthy Of Assaulting Him In The Capitol
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.
Treasury Secretary Clarifies Threat Against Bill Pulte
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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.
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