WSJ: Bessent's temper helped drive departures of senior Treasury officials

Left · 1The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's outbursts helped drive an unusual wave of departures from the top ranks of the Treasury Department, based on accounts from more than 30 current and former officials and associates. 1 Left · 2According to the Journal, Bessent yelled and cursed at John Hurley, then the undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, over what he saw as foot-dragging on a probe Trump had requested into alleged fraud in Minnesota's Somali community, and staff nearby could hear him. 1 2 Left · 2Hurley left Treasury in February, reportedly for an ambassadorship, and his duties went to a former employee of Bessent's investment firm; in a statement to the Journal, Hurley praised Bessent as "a brilliant and fearless warrior for President Trump and the American people." 1 2

Left · 1Raw Story, citing the Partnership for Public Service, said seven Senate-confirmed Treasury officials had left by the end of August, against zero to two over a similar stretch in each of the four previous administrations, and that several would-be recruits reportedly declined Treasury jobs after hearing how Bessent treats people. 1 Left · 1Staff reportedly check with colleagues about his mood before meeting him and trade tips on avoiding him when he is angry, and some are relieved when he is out of the office; some told the Journal his behaviour was a factor in the departure of multiple key officials. 2 Left · 2The report also describes Bessent last year hurling a binder at a wall over how his daily briefing book was organised; Bessent denied the incident to the Journal. 1 2

Left · 1The Independent, relaying the Journal, reported that in December Bessent was confronted by Code Pink activists protesting sanctions at a Washington, D.C. restaurant, then berated the owner for not removing them and spat in his food before leaving, according to the owner and a nearby diner. 2 Left · 2The reported temper has also flared outside Treasury: Bessent was pulled apart from Elon Musk during a West Wing shouting match, reportedly physically threatened housing chief Bill Pulte at a dinner, and, per the Independent, clashed with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at an event last year. 1 2 Left · 2Trump reportedly calls Bessent almost daily and has told advisers he likes Bessent's "feisty public persona"; at an April event in Nevada he joked, "I created a monster." 1 2

Left · 1Steve Bannon, who has known Bessent for nearly a decade, defended him while conceding "he's got a tripwire and he's got a temper." 1 Left · 2White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the professionalism and accountability Bessent has instilled is "one of the great accomplishments of this administration"; a Treasury spokesperson said he "has high expectations" of the department and listed his policy achievements but did not directly address his treatment of staff. 1 2