Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has won quick backing from several Republican lawmakers after a reported private confrontation in which he threatened to punch the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, according to accounts first reported by Politico.
The incident occurred last week during a private White House dinner, where Bessent, 63, accused Bill Pulte, 37, Trump’s FHFA director, of badmouthing him to the president. Politico reported that Bessent told Pulte, “Why the f*** are you talking to the president about me? F*** you,” and added, “I’m gonna punch you in your f***ing face.” The confrontation has since prompted a split among Republicans in Washington, with several lawmakers siding with the Treasury secretary.
Pulte, who leads the FHFA — a post that traditionally attracts less public attention — has become a prominent, combative figure on social media, where he reportedly has more than 3 million followers and often defends President Trump while attacking his critics. That public profile, and Pulte’s willingness to publicly assail political opponents and regulators, has frustrated some senior officials, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Politico.
Several Republican lawmakers interviewed by Politico expressed support for Bessent, with one, speaking on background, calling Pulte “a nut” and describing the Treasury secretary as “the adult in the room.” Another GOP member of a committee that oversees the FHFA said Pulte had grown “a little too big for his britches,” and praised Bessent for confronting him. A third Republican told Politico he would have reacted similarly if he had been in Bessent’s position.
Pulte also has defenders inside the administration, in part because of his aggressive posture toward several figures who have challenged President Trump. According to reporting, Pulte has publicly alleged mortgage fraud against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and has made accusations against Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have pursued legal action related to the president.
The clash adds to a recent string of high-profile personnel tensions in the administration. While vying for the Treasury post during the transition, Bessent reportedly competed with now-Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick; Bessent ultimately assumed the Treasury role after cultivating support at Mar-a-Lago, according to accounts of the transition.
Officials and lawmakers said the episode has set off conversation across Capitol Hill about internal dynamics in the administration and the FHFA’s role. Members of Congress who oversee the agency have expressed concern about the public profile and partisan rhetoric coming from a regulator that typically operates out of the public spotlight. At the same time, several Republicans argued that Bessent’s steadiness is valuable for market confidence and for communicating with the business community.
Both the Treasury Department and the FHFA did not immediately provide public comment on the reported confrontation. The episode was first detailed by Politico and has been recounted in subsequent coverage by other outlets. Lawmakers said they are watching whether the dispute will affect coordination among agencies that oversee housing finance and broader economic policy.