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.
Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J. R. Pacheco/Released)
⏱ 3 minute read
ANALYSIS – Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) will install lasers on warships designed to shoot down drones starting in 2027. The low-cost DragonFire can hit a 25mm target from 1,000 meters away.
The space-age weapon will work by using an intense beam of light to cut through its target. The MOD hopes the DragonFire system will offer a low-cost alternative to missiles in shooting down attack drones and even mortars.
The MOD said that the laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) could fire at any target visible in the air at around $12.52 per shot.
In comparison, the Sea Viper missiles, previously used by Britain to intercept Houthi drones in the Red Sea, were estimated to cost a staggering $1.26 million each.
“In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is shifting with it… our widespread reforms will deliver the latest kit and weaponry for our Armed Forces faster,” Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.
This could have “huge ramifications” for Kyiv’s conflict against Russia, Grant Shapps said. The new reforms aimed at speeding up procurement mean the laser, which was originally set to be rolled out in 2032, will now be operational five years earlier than planned.
Shapps said he would look to see if the pace can be increased further “in order for Ukrainians perhaps to get their hands on it”.
“I’ve come down to speed up the production of the DragonFire laser system because I think given that there’s two big conflicts on, one sea-based, one in Europe, this could have huge ramifications to have a weapon capable particularly of taking down drones,” Shapps said at the Porton Down military research hub in Salisbury.
“And so what I want to do is speed up what would usually be a very lengthy development procurement process, possibly up to 10 years, based on my conversations this morning, to a much shorter timeframe to get it deployed, potentially on ships, incoming drones, and potentially on land.
Shapps added: “It’s designed to not wait until we have this at 99.9% perfection before it goes into the field, but get it to sort of 70% and then get it out there and then… develop it from there.”
The latest laser trials involved firing the DragonFire at a testbed at the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl’s) range in Southern England.
“The DragonFire laser is a testament to the UK’s leadership in military technology. We are committed to swiftly deploying this cutting-edge tool to our armed forces, equipping them to confront the evolving threats we face,” emphasized Shapps.
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.
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.
UK Will Deploy Drone Defense Lasers On Warships In 2027
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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ANALYSIS – Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) will install lasers on warships designed to shoot down drones starting in 2027. The low-cost DragonFire can hit a 25mm target from 1,000 meters away.
The space-age weapon will work by using an intense beam of light to cut through its target. The MOD hopes the DragonFire system will offer a low-cost alternative to missiles in shooting down attack drones and even mortars.
The MOD said that the laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) could fire at any target visible in the air at around $12.52 per shot.
In comparison, the Sea Viper missiles, previously used by Britain to intercept Houthi drones in the Red Sea, were estimated to cost a staggering $1.26 million each.
“In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is shifting with it… our widespread reforms will deliver the latest kit and weaponry for our Armed Forces faster,” Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said.
This could have “huge ramifications” for Kyiv’s conflict against Russia, Grant Shapps said. The new reforms aimed at speeding up procurement mean the laser, which was originally set to be rolled out in 2032, will now be operational five years earlier than planned.
But, as SkyNews reported:
Shapps added: “It’s designed to not wait until we have this at 99.9% perfection before it goes into the field, but get it to sort of 70% and then get it out there and then… develop it from there.”
The latest laser trials involved firing the DragonFire at a testbed at the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl’s) range in Southern England.
“The DragonFire laser is a testament to the UK’s leadership in military technology. We are committed to swiftly deploying this cutting-edge tool to our armed forces, equipping them to confront the evolving threats we face,” emphasized Shapps.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Fmr. Fox News Star Accuses Network Of Persecution
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.
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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