Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed a past confrontation with Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on June 3, 2026. Bessent clarified that he had expressed a desire to 'kick his a**' after Pulte was reported to have spoken negatively about him to President Trump. Bessent noted that such disagreements can occur within teams, stating, 'many teams have fights in the locker room and then go out and win for the team.' He also mentioned having a productive exchange with Pulte the day before the hearing.
During the hearing, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) inquired about the incident, which Bessent confirmed occurred last summer. Pulte has been in the news for his controversial actions at the FHFA, including accusations against Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, which led to her firing by Trump and an investigation by the Justice Department. Pulte was appointed acting director of national intelligence on the same day as the hearing, a move that has drawn criticism due to his lack of experience in intelligence roles. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) questioned Bessent about Pulte's security clearance and the demands of his role at FHFA, to which Bessent acknowledged the importance of the position.
