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.
ANALYSIS – Sour grapes or legitimate gripes? I recently wrote about the loyal Donald Trump inner circle that is plotting both a drastic remaking of Joe Biden’s socialist America, but also revenge against his persecutors if (or when) he wins reelection.
I explained how Trump has solidified his support in the Republican Party, the voting public and in Congress. I also noted how this time, as opposed to 2016, Trump has a strong bench of loyal and effective former government officials at his disposal.
Yes, there are some who have sour grapes and some who are just looking for publicity or trying to avoid prosecution by an overzealous and uber-politicized Justice Department, but others appear to be sincere in their opposition.
Those we shouldn’t take too seriously include, Michale Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer-turned vocal opponent. And there is the loud-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump’s White House Communications Director for about a week, before blowing himself up.
We can also likely dismiss Cassidy Hutchinson, who was simply a young aid to Trump’s Chief of Staff.
But some of these Trump defectors are heavy hitters with a track record of loyalty.
Most prominent among those defectors is Mike Pence, Trump’s formerly hyper-loyal vice president. He recently told Fox News host Martha MacCallum on March 15 that he won’t be endorsing or voting for Trump.
The announcement that he won’t back his former boss sees Pence joining a list of ex-Trump administration officials refusing to back his latest White House bid – many of them saying they no longer support him due to his words and actions on January 6, 2021.
Pence said that: “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president.”
Joining the former vice president are two Trump-appointed secretaries of defense, James Mattis and Mark Esper and former Attorney General Bill Barr. Mattis has said that Trump is the first president in his lifetime, “who does not try to unite the American people.”
As much as I respect my fellow Marine, Mattis clearly said this prior to Joe Biden calling all Republicans “enemies of democracy.”
Esper has called Trump “unfit for office.” Former Trump Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Trump’s “understanding of history was really limited.”
And then there is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, who helped turn the Pentagon increasingly woke, while he undermined his commander in chief. (RELATED: Gen. Milley Still Doesn’t Know What Woke Means, But Insists Military Isn’t)
He said of Trump upon leaving his post, only slightly obliquely, and very inappropriately, “we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator.”
Meanwhile, in a brief filed March 19, Trump’s lawyers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant their client “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution.
The president “cannot function, and the Presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the President faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office,” the brief claims.
Lower courts have already twice rejected the immunity claims, but Trump’s lawyers will get a fresh chance to press their case before the Supreme Court when the justices hear arguments on April 25.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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.
Why Are Some Of Trump's Allies Turning Against Him?
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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I explained how Trump has solidified his support in the Republican Party, the voting public and in Congress. I also noted how this time, as opposed to 2016, Trump has a strong bench of loyal and effective former government officials at his disposal.
Unfortunately, some very senior former Trump officials aren’t among those now on Team Trump. Several have turned into rabid critics or downright enemies. (RELATED: Outgoing General Claims Trump Will Put His Critics In Jail, Starting With Himself)
Yes, there are some who have sour grapes and some who are just looking for publicity or trying to avoid prosecution by an overzealous and uber-politicized Justice Department, but others appear to be sincere in their opposition.
Those we shouldn’t take too seriously include, Michale Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer-turned vocal opponent. And there is the loud-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump’s White House Communications Director for about a week, before blowing himself up.
We can also likely dismiss Cassidy Hutchinson, who was simply a young aid to Trump’s Chief of Staff.
But some of these Trump defectors are heavy hitters with a track record of loyalty.
Most prominent among those defectors is Mike Pence, Trump’s formerly hyper-loyal vice president. He recently told Fox News host Martha MacCallum on March 15 that he won’t be endorsing or voting for Trump.
“It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year,” he said. (RELATED: This Is What Pence’s True Legacy Will Be)
The announcement that he won’t back his former boss sees Pence joining a list of ex-Trump administration officials refusing to back his latest White House bid – many of them saying they no longer support him due to his words and actions on January 6, 2021.
Pence said that: “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president.”
Joining the former vice president are two Trump-appointed secretaries of defense, James Mattis and Mark Esper and former Attorney General Bill Barr. Mattis has said that Trump is the first president in his lifetime, “who does not try to unite the American people.”
As much as I respect my fellow Marine, Mattis clearly said this prior to Joe Biden calling all Republicans “enemies of democracy.”
Esper has called Trump “unfit for office.” Former Trump Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Trump’s “understanding of history was really limited.”
And then there is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, who helped turn the Pentagon increasingly woke, while he undermined his commander in chief. (RELATED: Gen. Milley Still Doesn’t Know What Woke Means, But Insists Military Isn’t)
He said of Trump upon leaving his post, only slightly obliquely, and very inappropriately, “we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator.”
Meanwhile, in a brief filed March 19, Trump’s lawyers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant their client “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution.
The president “cannot function, and the Presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the President faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office,” the brief claims.
Lower courts have already twice rejected the immunity claims, but Trump’s lawyers will get a fresh chance to press their case before the Supreme Court when the justices hear arguments on April 25.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Chicago School Board Members Unanimously Support Removal Of School Resource Officers
]]>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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