Bessent says he told Pulte he was going to ‘kick his a**’ last year
Treasury Secretary scott Bessent told the Senate Finance Committee that any reported fight with Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte involved an on-the-team confrontation last summer, adding that he recently had a “very good exchange” with Pulte.
Sen. Thom Tillis pressed Bessent on claims that Bessent threatened to punch Pulte after Pulte had criticized him to President Trump; Bessent corrected that he said he would “kick his” rather, while saying such disagreements can happen in the “locker room” and then people return to working together. The hearing also highlighted Pulte’s controversial tenure at the FHFA, including his push for mortgage fraud investigations against Trump critics, which contributed to actions against Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.
Trump tapped Pulte to serve as acting director of national intelligence while he continues leading the FHFA, a move that drew questions about Pulte’s qualifications. Sen.Mark Warner asked whether Pulte has a security clearance, and Bessent said he did not know-then Warner questioned whether directing national intelligence would be a full-time job, which Bessent acknowledged as an vital role.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed reporting of a highly publicized clash between himself and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte last year, although he said that such confrontations happen when working on a team.
During a Wednesday hearing before the Senate Finance Committee to testify on President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, Bessent faced questions about Pulte, who was recently named acting director of national intelligence.
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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he had an “awkward” question for the treasury secretary and asked whether reporting was true that Bessent told Pulte he was going to punch him in the face last year during an event after hearing that Pulte had been badmouthing him to Trump.
“No, sir, I actually said I was going to kick his a**,” Bessent said.
“Good, OK, good — I share the emotion,” Tillis responded.
Bessent then clarified that the dustup happened last summer and that “many teams have fights in the locker room and then go out and win for the team.”
“I had a very good exchange with the director yesterday,” Bessent added.
Pulte has generated headlines during his time at the FHFA for his willingness to act as Trump’s attack dog and for recommending mortgage fraud investigations into several of Trump’s political opponents.
In one such case, Pulte accused Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, prompting Trump to fire her and the Justice Department to open an investigation into the allegations. The Supreme Court is weighing the legality of her firing.
Trump tapped Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence on Tuesday, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who will resign from the role at the end of this month. Pulte will remain on concurrently as head of the FHFA.
His appointment has faced some blowback for Pulte’s lack of intelligence experience.
During the Wednesday hearing, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who is also the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asked Bessent if he knew whether Pulte even has a security clearance, to which Bessent replied he did not.
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“In being head of the FHFA, isn’t that a full-time job?” Warner asked.
“It’s a very important position,” Bessent responded.
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