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.
Get Your Best Daily Defense and Foreign Affairs Intelligence Here in One Brief.
Read the summaries or dive deeper via the linked articles.
Today’sPDB includes a variety of critical, global national security issues.
** For additional intel on the Russia-Ukraine war and other hot topics we can’t fit here, please also subscribe to ‘Paul’s Defense Brief’ atpaulcrespo.substack.com.
OFF TO FACE CHINA – GODSPEED – USS Tripoli quietly leaves on maiden deployment. Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego, Calif., on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific on Monday, USNI News has learned.
Taiwan flags risk of Stinger missile delays, says pressing US. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday said deliveries of shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles could be delayed, saying they were pressing the United States to deliver on schedule as the war in Ukraine pressures supplies.
Navy’s newly reactivated 2nd Fleet proves its readiness in North Atlantic. The four destroyers from Norfolk and Mayport that sailed east this winter as tensions between Russia and Ukraine mounted proved a couple of key points about the newly reestablished, Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, said Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, its commanding officer.
Ukraine says its drones hit Russian fast boats at sea. In what appears to be their latest exploit, Ukraine’s armed drones destroyed two Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea just off Snake Island Monday morning, according to the country’s defense ministry and videos of the strikes.
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control,” the ministry said in a statement.
IRAN THREAT
AND BIDEN DANGEROUSLY CONTINUES TO PLAY NICE – Iran nuclear deal near death, but West not ready to pull plug. Western officials have largely lost hope the Iran nuclear deal can be resurrected, sources familiar with the matter said, forcing them to weigh how to limit Iran’s atomic program even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has divided the big powers.
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control”, the ministry said in a statement.
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.
Ukraine Closes Seaports Seized by Russia
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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Read the summaries or dive deeper via the linked articles.
Today’s PDB includes a variety of critical, global national security issues.
** For additional intel on the Russia-Ukraine war and other hot topics we can’t fit here, please also subscribe to ‘Paul’s Defense Brief’ at paulcrespo.substack.com.
READ TODAY’S PDB BELOW:
HOMELAND SECURITY
ASSAULTING COPS NOT OK, JARHEAD – Marine veteran, cop convicted of assaulting officer in Capitol riot. Thomas Webster had been wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a Marine Corps flag when he approached the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
CHINA THREAT
OFF TO FACE CHINA – GODSPEED – USS Tripoli quietly leaves on maiden deployment. Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego, Calif., on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific on Monday, USNI News has learned.
Taiwan flags risk of Stinger missile delays, says pressing US. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday said deliveries of shoulder-fired Stinger anti-aircraft missiles could be delayed, saying they were pressing the United States to deliver on schedule as the war in Ukraine pressures supplies.
INTERESTING – Why the Chinese military wants thousands of ‘made-to-order’ noncommissioned officers. Beijing has been producing a new force of noncommissioned officers over the past decade.
RUSSIA THREAT
NO KIDDING! – Russia planning to annex new areas of Ukraine, US finds. Claiming Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson would be an attempt by Russia to control much of Ukraine’s east, despite ongoing struggles on the battlefield.
Navy’s newly reactivated 2nd Fleet proves its readiness in North Atlantic. The four destroyers from Norfolk and Mayport that sailed east this winter as tensions between Russia and Ukraine mounted proved a couple of key points about the newly reestablished, Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, said Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, its commanding officer.
Ukraine says its drones hit Russian fast boats at sea. In what appears to be their latest exploit, Ukraine’s armed drones destroyed two Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea just off Snake Island Monday morning, according to the country’s defense ministry and videos of the strikes.
PROBING – Denmark and prospective NATO member Sweden say Russia flew into their airspace. A Russian spy plane violated NATO airspace in recent days, prompting the Kremlin’s ambassador to Denmark to be summoned over the incident, the top Danish diplomat announced.
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control,” the ministry said in a statement.
IRAN THREAT
AND BIDEN DANGEROUSLY CONTINUES TO PLAY NICE – Iran nuclear deal near death, but West not ready to pull plug. Western officials have largely lost hope the Iran nuclear deal can be resurrected, sources familiar with the matter said, forcing them to weigh how to limit Iran’s atomic program even as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has divided the big powers.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
What’s next for Marines in the Middle East? The commander of Marine Corps Forces Central Command hones a smaller force.
Israel wants apology after Russia’s Lavrov compares Zelensky to Hitler. Israel demanded an apology from the Russian government for employing a discredited antisemitic trope.
US MILITARY AND SPACE
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control”, the ministry said in a statement.
THE ONLY SLUR IN US THAT GETS A GENERAL FIRED – Marine general used ‘full N-word’ in rant that led to his ouster from European Command post. A released investigation report has shed more light on a 2020 incident that saw a two-star Marine Corps general relieved of his command overseeing Marine forces in Europe and Africa.
I REST MY CASE – Marine intel instructors got caught calling students ‘whore’ and ‘slut’ in private chat. No punishment was recommended. Marine Corps and Navy intelligence trainers in Virginia demeaned and made homophobic and sexist comments about their students in a private group chat, according to an official military investigation and text messages obtained by Task & Purpose.
END of PDB
www.paulcrespo.com
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
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Help the American Conservative Union Hold Biden AccountablePaul 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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