Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stunned lawmakers Wednesday when he casually admitted that he threatened to physically assault Bill Pulte \u2014 President Donald Trump’s embattled choice to serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The jaw-dropping admission came during a Senate Finance Committee hearing after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) referenced reports of a heated clash between the two Trump administration officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Did you actually tell Pulte you were going to punch him in the face?” Tillis asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No, sir. I actually said I was going to kick his a**,” Bessent replied.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Tillis appeared amused by the correction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Good. OK, good. I share the emotion \u2014 thank you,” the North Carolina Republican responded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Bessent brushed off the confrontation as old news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“And, as I said, that was last summer, summer ’25,” he said. “And many teams have fights in the locker room, and then go out and win for the team on the field.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
But Tillis suggested the incident could become a major issue now that Trump has tapped Pulte to oversee America’s intelligence agencies following Tulsi Gabbard’s planned departure later this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Everybody’s gonna be showing that,” Tillis said. “I made it clear I’m not gonna support Pulte for DNI, but I’m sure they’re gonna dredge that up.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n