Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is facing heavy criticism after a report described his temper and a confrontation at a Washington restaurant in which he allegedly berated the owner and spat into his own food before leaving.
At a Washington restaurant, Reveler’s Hour in December 2025, CodePink activists heckled Bessent about the U.S. economic sanctions, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This is the latest incident for Bessent, who has developed a reputation for having a temper both inside and outside the Treasury Department.
CodePink organizer Olivia DiNucci told diners, “So let’s give it up for the man who is eating in peace as people starve across the world based on his sanctions, which are economic warfare.”
Per the report, Bessent called the protesters “ignorant” before yelling at the owner of the restaurant for not removing them. The owner told WSJ that Bessent spit in his own food before leaving.
Current and former Treasury officials have also mentioned the incident that took place at the restaurant. According to the Journal, Bessent has on several occasions reprimanded senior officials and junior employees since he became office in 2025, at times shouting so loudly that his voice could be heard outside the meetings.
In January, Bessent reportedly had an outburst with John Hurley, who at the time was Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, regarding the speed of the inquiry into fraud claims involving Minnesota's Somali community; Hurley subsequently quit the department to take up an ambassadorship at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Various officials also told the Journal that their assistants have sometimes discussed ways to avoid Bessent when he is angry. The report stated that dozens of officials who had not been confirmed by the Senate have either left or been dismissed, along with seven officials who had been confirmed by the Senate, only one of whom had been replaced.
Former White House chief strategist in President Trump’s first term, Steve Bannon gave a direct evaluation of Bessent’s method of management. “He’s a good person, but he’s got a tripwire and he’s got a temper,” Bannon told the Journal.
Bessent has in the past admitted to another intense argument within the Trump administration. At a Senate hearing in June, Senator Thom Tillis asked Bessent whether he had threatened to punch Bill Pulte, the chief of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
“No sir, I actually said I was going to kick his a——,” Bessent replied.
The White House stood by Bessent, stating that the “professionalism and accountability” he had brought to the Treasury was one of the administration’s key achievements, and President Donald Trump has also publicly lauded him, joking at an event in April seemingly about his reputation, stating that he had “created a monster”.
